1805/4 Draped Bust Half Dollar. O-103a, T-11. Rarity-5+. Fine-12 (NGC).

1805/4 Draped Bust Half Dollar. O-103a, T-11. Rarity-5+. Fine-12 (NGC).，Subtle bands of colorful iridescence accent the borders of this otherwise brilliant and silvery Rarity-5+ example. A pair of old marks in the right obverse field and another at Libertys ribbon ends become apparent under scrutiny, but the complexion is otherwise without distractions and smooth. Cracks fully bisect the obverse from above the Y in LIBERTY to the rim around stars 1 and 2 in a state equivalent to Tompkins Die Stage 3. The triangular cracks around the first two stars is have not yet raised into a cud, and the stars therein remain boldly defined. <p>The O-103a variety represents an intermediate state between the unshattered dies (O-103) and the even rarer terminal state (O-103b). Seldom do examples of either the O-103a or O-103b come to market. It is exponentially more infrequent that the two are offered in consecutive lots as is the case with the Sutton Court Collection.<p><em>Remarks from the Collector:</em> When I started collecting this series, I thought there was just one 1805/4 obverse die! However, I soon encountered this second obverse die, with its spectacular date and intriguing die cracks, and it immediately became my favorite variety. These are truly rare coins, lacking details due to the badly deteriorating dies, and they are never found in high grade.，From the Sutton Court Collection of Early Half Dollar Varieties. Acquired from Alpine Numismatics, February 1985. Earlier ex Jack Beymer; Jim ODonnell.，