1805 Draped Bust Half Dollar. O-104a, T-10. Rarity-6+. AU-53 (NGC).

1805 Draped Bust Half Dollar. O-104a, T-10. Rarity-6+. AU-53 (NGC).，A spectacular treat for specialists offering both rarity and exceptional preservation. The complexion displays a delicate golden iridescence, with a region of deeper patina noted over the eagles right wing. Blooms of satiny mint luster remain in the protected regions and complement the overall unabraded surfaces. Considerable die fatigue is now evident across each side, with a network of cracks connecting most of the peripheral legends. The dramatic cud consuming stars 9 through 12 is now virtually terminal, exhibiting a late state of Tompkins Die Stage 4. A mild weakness to the central elements is expected at this level of die wear, but the devices remain otherwise uniform and bold. <p>This magnificent piece is the finest survivor from this late die state by a significant margin, followed up by handful of examples in Fine and VF condition, some with problems. Just about a dozen examples are known, and it is noteworthy that the famed Queller Family Collection failed to include an example of this Rarity-6+ variety. The present piece was last offered in Bowers and Merenas sale of June 1985 and has managed to evade the Condition Census over the past 30 years.，From the Sutton Court Collection of Early Half Dollar Varieties. Earlier ex from our (Bowers and Merenas) sale of June 1985, lot 1971.，