1833 O-116 R7+ Crushed Letter Edge Capped Bust Half Dollar
This variety has long been considered a restrike, however, if so, it could not have been struck any later than 1836. The edge is plain and the overall appearance is entirely unlike any other Capped Bust half dollar. There is no doubt this was struck with a closed collar although on a planchet with lettered edge originally intended as a regular circulation strike half dollar. When subjected to the high pressure required for coinage, the closed collar flattened the edge and literally crushed or obliterated the edge, thus today's popular name for these coins. It is interesting to compare this example with the 1832 O-123 Proof. There are many differences that suggest two completely different methods of manufacture.
This has a beaded border on both obverse and reverse. The reverse die is the same as was used for 1836 Overton 106 while the obverse was not used for any other Bust half dollars. The same is true of the 1834 and 1835 Crushed Lettered Edge coins.
The following is a current census of known examples of the 1833 Crushed Lettered Edge half dollar:
1. Smtihsonian Institution.
2. Pogue 2016 Sale Stack's-Bowers. Pittman Collection. David Akers' sale of May 1998, Lot 1502; earlier from the Allenburger Collection.
3. Norweb Collection (Then Russ Logan)
4. Pennsylvania Cabinet. Earlier from Stack's sale of the Cox Collection, April 1962. Lightly circulated.