1806 Draped Bust Half Dollar. O-110, T-10. Rarity-6. Pointed 6, Stem Through Claw. VF-20 (NGC).，A light golden iridescence overlays the dove grey surfaces of this delightful rarity, accented by deep indigo coloration at the borders. The surfaces are nicely composed under inspection, with just the most trivial little marks scattered about. Hints of weakness at the lower obverse and upper reverse are typical for this variety, and the balance of the devices remain well defined. The diagnostic crack between stars 10 and 11 to Libertys mouth is distinct, with the upper section clearly raised above the lower section. Though dramatic, this crack is actually in an earlier die state (Tompkins Die Stage 2), as the secondary crack heading up to Libertys nose has not yet begun to form.<p>This piece aligns nicely with the lower end of the Condition Census, ranking finer even than the Jules Reiver specimen, which is a pleasant VG-8 (NGC). It was previously featured in the Stacks sale of December 1984, where it was also graded Very Fine and given a concise description of "Russet toning over problem free surfaces." It was more recently selected by researcher Steve Tompkins to illustrate the variety (T-10) in his 2015 reference on the series, which testifies to the superior technical and aesthetic quality displayed throughout. It is mistakenly listed as VF-35 on the pictorial Condition Census therein. An attractive piece and a true treat for specialists.<p><em>Remarks from the Collector</em>: Easily recognizable with the large die crack running out of Libertys mouth, this exceptionally rare variety is also under appreciated by collectors. For the longest time, the only example of this variety I found was one with a hole in it which I still have and carry as a pocket piece! The present coin is the finest specimen I have ever come across in all my years of searching.，From the Sutton Court Collection of Early Half Dollar Varieties. Earlier ex from our (Stacks) sale of December 1984, lot 827. The Tompkins plate coin.，
