1806 Draped Bust Half Dollar. O-110, T-10. Rarity-6. Pointed 6, Stem Through Claw. AU Details--Cleaned (PCGS).As the discovery coin and second finest known survivor from the 1806 Overton-110 dies, this famous example will have no difficulty finding its way into another prominent early half dollar cabinet. Virtually untoned, the otherwise silver white surfaces reveal blushes of pale golden-russet iridescence in the protected areas around many of the design elements. Plenty of frosty mint luster remains to tempt the viewer, this despite the presence of light wear and wispy hairlines, the latter explaining the PCGS qualifier. Softness of strike is noted for several features: on the obverse the end of Libertys bust, stars 1, 2 and 10 through 13; on the reverse the eagles wing tips, the final two clouds and adjacent stars. This is not an uncommon attribute for a half dollar of this design type, regardless of die pairing, and all other design elements on this coin are boldly defined at the AU grade level. Quite pleasing overall, and of paramount important to specialists given its prominent place on the census for the variety. Tompkins Die Stage 5/2.<p>The discovery coin for the 1806 O-110 dies, as related above, this piece was cataloged as finest known in Superiors sales of October 1989 and May 1990. In 2012, however, a Choice About Uncirculated example was confirmed in the possession of Sheridan Downey, which coin later found its way into the Overton Collection. The Munson-Willasch-Morgan specimen offered here is now ranked as CC#2 for this variety, and it is plated as such in Steve M. Tompkins 2015 early half dollar reference. A few EFs are known, but the census for this elusive and conditionally challenging die pairing is comprised largely of coins in the Fair to VF grade range.From the E. Horatio Morgan Collection. Ex A&A Coins; Paul Munson, 1960s to 1989; Superiors sale of the Paul Munson Collection of Bust Half Dollars, October 1989 Jascha Heifetz Collection sale, lot 464; Superiors sale of the H. Roland Willasch Collection of Bust Half Dollars and Bust Silver Dollars, May 1990 Father Flanagans Boys Home Sale, May 1990, lot 68. Boys Home Sale lot tag included.
