Lot 2304

Rusted dies, the obverse extensively cracked. Bright yellow lustre with a trace of brown toning on the obverse device. Struck from mis-mated dies, the obverse used to produce 1813 Overton-107 half dollars, the reverse for 1810 Overton-104 coins. Andrew Pollock was only aware of two examples in brass, along with a single copper impression. We believe that these were produced in the 1860s, at about the same time the various half cent and large cent restrikes were produced. One of these 1813 brass restrikes was sold in the Fewsmith Collection, auctioned in 1870, thus helping pin-point the time of production.

Plain edge. Die alignment: 360 .

The obverse has all die cracks described for 1813 O-107a with these further advanced in some instances. Very heavy die rust is expecailly prominent at upper left through stars 4, 5, 6, and 7, and in the field between these stars and Liberty's upper profile. The reverse similarly has extensive die rust. There appears to be a crack through the middle pair of olive leaves to the lower berry.

This same example was illustrated in the November 1974 Numismatic Scrapbook Magazine, accompanying an article by then owner Stewart P. Witham, "Rusty Dies, Mint Sports Abound in Half Dollar Patterns."

According to our offering of this example as part of coins from the Stewart P. Witham Collection, September 1992, Lot 1694, we believe that just two examples are known.

This example is from Rarcoa's sale of the Harry X Boosel Collection, April 1972, Lot 969, later appearing in Rarcoa's session of Auction '81, Lot 305.

The other example is from the Lorin G. Parmelee Collection, New York Coin & Stamp Co., June 1890, Lot 18; earlier from the Fewsmith Collection. Later to Virgil Brand and offered by Kagin's in their MANA sale, November 1974, Lot 1864.

Previously certified MS-63 by ANACS.