1807 50 Capped Bust Half Dollar, O-112 NGC MS62

The O-112 is desirable as the first year of John Reich's Capped Bust design as well as for its distinctive blundered denomination. The 50 Over 20 Guide Book variety is a diesinker's mistake. The absent-minded engraver started to enter the denomination as if it was a quarter dollar die, nonetheless realized his mistake after engraving the first digit. Large Stars encircle the O-112 obverse portrait. This is an attractive MS62 specimen, with toned surfaces and ample mint luster. 

NGC has graded 109 of the 1807 0-112 variety. Of those there are 2 in MS62 with 6 finer. Collectors Universe gives this variety a price of $12,000.00 in MS62.

The First US Mint in Philadelphia, where this rare piece was struck in 1807. Image: Public domain.

Both sides of the Capped Bust half dollar feature John Reich's classic design. The obverse presents a left-facing Rubenesque Liberty sporting a Phrygian or liberty cap, which during the American and French revolutions came to represent freedom and the pursuit of liberty. It sits atop her head, while a ribbon declaring LIBERTY holds the cap in place. Locks of curly hair fall over her ear and upon and below her shoulders. Her garment is held together with a clasp. On well-struck examples, the initial 'R' for Reich can be seen within the clasp. The date is found below Miss Liberty, while 13 stars that represent the 13 colonies/states surround both sides of Liberty at the coin's rim.

The reverse features Reich's eagle, with its wings partially spread, while it grasps with its left talon arrows and the olive branch of peace in its right. A federal shield is found upon the eagle's breast, while 50 C. is below our national bird. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds the eagle at the top half of the rim, while the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM, found upon a ribbon, floats above the eagle and below the legend. The lettered edge reads FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR. A star is found between DOLLAR and FIFTY.