1823 Capped Bust Half Dollar. O-105. Rarity-1. MS-65 (PCGS).This is a breathtakingly beautiful Gem bathed in blended iridescent toning of pewter gray, pale olive, champagne-pink, powder blue and antique gold. Sharply defined from an ideally centered impression, intense mint luster and exceptionally smooth surfaces further confirm this as a highly significant 1823 O-105 half dollar. In fact, it is one of only two MS-65s for the variety listed in the Spring 2019 revision to Stephen J. Herrmans AMBPR for Bust half dollars, where it is tied for CC#1.<p>As with most of the issues from the 1820s, the 1,694,200 half dollars coined in 1823 is a specialists delight with most varieties readily available. A total of 13 die pairings have been identified from 11 obverse dies and 12 reverses. The O-105 variety is easily identified by examining the reverse: there is a prominent raised centering dot in a clear double space at the left end of the fourth horizontal crossbar from the top. This is the only use for this reverse die and is diagnostic. While there have been a number specimens at the Mint State level for all varieties combined, most fall around the Choice level with only a rarefied few reach Gem status. At the pinnacle for the variety and tantalizingly close for the issue overall, tonights offering represents a rare opportunity for the connoisseur seeking the very finest example for their holdings.From Heritages Long Beach Signature Auction of September 2015, lot 3931.
