1806 50C Pointed 6, Stem XF40 Certification #39819126, PCGS #6071

CAC green sticker, O.115 (Obv. 9 and Rev K), R1 (Common, >1,000 extant). Also known as Thompson T-17 (Obv:10 and Rev: X). Current (4/30/2025) CAC population data: 7 total, 2 on grade, none higher. Purchased in the Coins Plus auction of the Dr. Charles Horning collection of Draped Bust Half dollars. Brad Karoleff's description of the coin in the auction: "Coin is a little darker, but obverse has deep blue highlights around the rim blended with ample luster. The reverse is even nicer with more luster and color. Exceptionally well struck and an early die state". "Dr. Horning obtained the coin from a Sheridan Downey sale at the 2001 ANA convention". I contacted Sheridan Downey to see if had any records/notes from that sale and he did not. Obverse shows double cut TY in LIBERTY and appears to be die state 2 (light die crack seen from 1 in date extending to outside of S1 - S3) while reverse appears to be die state 1 (no clashing or die cracks seen) with ME joined at the base. Also, reverse shows 5 berries and the lower one has no stem, star point attached solid to beak and lower point of same star is buried in scroll. Point of leaf close to base of I at center, right base of F missing and base of first T is states is recut.

Ron Guth

The 1806 Pointed 6, Stems Half Dollar is one of the more common major types of the year.  Nineteen different Overton varieties, plus their die states, comprise the entire mintage of this major variety.  As such, collectors have many opportunities to acquire an example in a wide range of grades, including Mint State (PCGS has certified more Mint State examples of this type than any other -- by far).  The PCGS CoinFacts Condition Census starts at MS64+ and goes up from there.  The record price for this date was achieved by the Garrett coin when it reappeared at auction in 2015 and sold (as a PCGS MS66) for $182,125.  However, there is an even better example "out there" -- a PCGS MS67 that has yet to come to market.  That coin is the single finest Draped Bust Half Dollar in existence.