1815/2 Capped Bust Half Dollar. O-101. Rarity-2. AU-53 (PCGS). CAC.A beautifully toned example of this overdate accented by bronze, violet, and lime-green hues at the borders on each side. These colors are emphasized by substantial traces of Mint luster that glows from the protected areas throughout. The dies are in a late state and show considerable evidence of clashing, though the central elements remain sharply defined. Overall smooth and free from notable abrasions. The half dollar was the most popular denomination with contemporary bullion depositors, although the Mint was caught unprepared by the renewed demand after the War of 1812 in February of 1815 and did not have any 1815-dated dies on hand. To allow coinage to resume as soon as possible, Mint employees retrieved an unused 1812-dated die, punched a 5 over the 2, and used this obverse to strike approximately 47,150 1815/2 half dollars. Overton-101 is the only known die marriage of this issue, although it comes in early and late states, the latter identifiable by peripheral die cracks on the reverse. While enough examples of both the O-101 and O-101a die states have survived to make both varieties readily obtainable, the lack of any other die marriages means that the 1815/2 is scarce compared to all other dates in the Capped Bust half dollar series.PCGS# 6108. NGC ID: 24F5.From the Richard Jewell Collection.
