1805/4 Draped Bust Half Dollar. O-102, T-5. Rarity-3. AU-53 (PCGS). CAC. A significant offering of this overdate variety exhibiting superior eye appeal and technical quality. Blended pinkish and gold hues at the centers are framed by jeweled colors of turquoise and indigo near the borders. The fields are impressively smooth and accented by clouds of Mint luster around the devices. The typical softness is noted at the left obverse stars and the lower shield, but the reverse stars show superior sharpness for these dies. <p><p>The 1805/4 O-102 variety recycles an unused 1804-dated die, giving life to the otherwise non-existent 1804 issue. This is the second and final use of this obverse die following its employment in the O-101 marriage. Interestingly, researcher Steve Tompkins notes that the ANS now has possession of this die. <p><p>This specimen is among the finest survivors from these dies, distinctly ranking among the top 5-6 examples known. While unranked by Herrman in his Autumn 2020 listing, it would sit at #4 behind a pair of AU-58 and a pair of AU-55 examples. Similarly, it would rank at #4 in the Tompkins census behind a pair of AU-58s and a single AU-55. <p> From the Naples Bay Collection. From the Naples Bay Collection.
