Wow, this 1807 half is getting expensive.

coin22lover

Just observing....this one should be interesting to watch. Any predictions on the final price? link

CommemDude

Heritage had an NGC 55 that sold for $ 8050 in May, so the narrative for this ebay piece is a little confusing to me.
I bought an 1807 without the die crack AU 53 for $ 2100 recently so I am wondering what makes the variety so desirable? I am not a capped bust savant but I would be interested in learning about this variety.

stman

It appears to be a true 0-111B. And a fairly late state. I think the seller gave a good description of why these are expensive.
True 0-111B being the key word here.

coin22lover

How do you define a non-true 011b?

stman

Some that are labeled 0-111b are only the "A" model. They might have a break from chin to chest but that's about it. IMO the "true" 0111b has the break down to the date, and through the headband, makes a turn up through the "E".

astrorat

It's a monster example of a Bearded Goddess. The seller is right on target and, BTW, is a CBH savant.

What makes this so desirable is that it is a late die state O-111, aka O-111b (obverse 8, die state 3). As stman stated, many of the "commercial" Bearded Goddesses are actually O-111a (obverse 8, die state 2) which has a fine line where the "beard" will eventually form. The O-111b has a significant die break that forms the "beard."

Of the three die states of the O-111, the O-111b is the most interesting, but not the rarest. The "prime" die state, with no die crack, is the rarest.

One reason there is such interest is that it is a variety listed in the Red Book and thus has spawned interest in collectors outside of the bust half nuts.

Lane

Baley

show what a catchy name will do for a variety. Scarce? yes. Rare? no.

STONE

Ah yes, the 1807 O-111/a/b.
Oh am I so familiar with this variety, and one that I love so much.
Interestingly, the only 1807 CBH die marriage that I have owned has been of this variety, and in multiple I might add!
(I bet not a lot of people could say that )
I own, or have owned, two O-111a's and two O-111b's. I believe my current example is of an O-111a, which is in VF-30

My feelings are that the O-111a should be an R6 (or at the very least a lower-end R5), while the O-111b be changed to a lower end R4.

With that said, the coin the OP listed is of choice quality, but is consistent for the grade (I know it has tried for an upgrade twice without luck)
I have also seen this coin twice, and have found the surfaces to precisely those shown in the photo.

And as astrorat pointed out, the seller is a "savant" of the CBH world

mozin

<< <i>Just observing....this one should be interesting to watch. Any predictions on the final price? link >>

My prediction on the final price is that it will not meet reserve.

This marriage is missing from my Overton set, and I expect it will remain missing, since I insist on at least AU 50. It makes no difference to me whether I would get an "a" or a "b" model. There really are not that many collectors willing to spend $10,000 or more on a single Bust Half Dollar.

jdillane

The seller is top shelf...really the best on the bay for bust halves. The PCGS 58s that he offered earlier this yr were exceptional.

Dr. Link is exceptional too. He's an oncologist working on genomes in quest to cure cancer.

drddm

I agree with Mozin, I don't think the reserve will be met, but hey, you never know. There are some real die-hard bust half nuts out there, so it should be interesting to watch.

I have actually bought several CBH's from this seller. He is a top notch CBH collector who has collected for more than 25 years and had amassed one of the most impressive CBH collections to date before selling them off on ebay.

These are a couple that I have bought from him....

SilverEagles92

<< <i> >>



Oh my gosh.

UtahCoin

Here's another..

But the slab has a lot of scratches.

BillJones

I would like to own one of the early John Reich half dollars, with the "long necked eagle." Since I'm open to 1807 or an 1808, it should make the price a bit more affordable. I would not pay that much just because Ms. Liberty has a beard.

GoldenEyeNumismatics

I have a pleasing XF/AU o-111b, but it's one of those coins that barely qualifies... nothing like this piece! Wow!

coin22lover

UtahCoin, that's the funkiest looking 1807 half I've ever seen -- Though, I'm strangely attracted to it!