1827 Half Dollar - 1827 50C NGC MS61. 1827 50C, O-112, R.3, NGC MS61. This Mint State 1827 Capped Bust Half Dollar has original surfaces and is clean for the grade. Dark brown and light tan with touches of rainbow toning are present on the obverse. More rainbow toning is found on the reverse. These colors attest to the coins originality. The surfaces show no abrasion marks visible without the aid of magnification. The strike is strong with almost full details on most of the stars on the right side, Libertys lower curls and the broach. On the reverse full details are on the eagles head, the motto and its ribbon, and the eagles right wing. The E PLURIBUS UNUM band is often seen weak in the area left of its center. That is not the case with this well struck reverse. In addition, the dentils are full on both sides. 

The O-112 die variety has stars that are very close to the milling. Those on the right are sharper than those on the left. Libertys mouth is slightly open. The date is well centered. The reverse shows the AT in STATES joined at the base. The E and D in UNITED are very close. The right side of the T in STATES in a line with the left side of the I in PLURIBUS. Several lines of the stripes penetrate into crossbars. The first S in STATES was recut over a first attempt that was higher and further to the right. 

The Capped Bust half dollar was designed by John Reich. It is similar to his Capped Bust quarter. The half dollar shows a plump, capped head of Liberty in profile facing left. She wears a LIBERTY inscribed headband. Seven six-pointed stars are to the left and six are to the right with the date below. The reverse shows the heraldic eagle looking left with wings raised. Above the eagle, on a banner, is the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. The required inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds the coin, and the denomination written as 50 C. is below. Dentils are around the periphery of both sides, and, the edge is lettered FIFTY CENTS OR HALF DOLLAR with a star added between DOLLAR and FIFTY.

John Reich, a skilled engraver, was born in Bavaria and came to the United States around 1800. In order to finance his passage, he sold himself into servitude. President Thomas Jefferson recommended that Reich be hired as an engraver at the Mint in 1801. When he was serving in Washingtons Cabinet, Jefferson was in charge of the Mint as Secretary of State. While in France, Jefferson developed a working knowledge of the minting process. Reich was hired for other duties, but he eventually became an engraver. He had a superb eye for the complicated aesthetics of coin engraving. At this time his freedom was purchased by an unknown mint official. Although Chief Engraver Robert Scot designed most of the coins at the mint since 1794, it was said that Reich had much more talent and ability than Scot.

The 1827 Half Dollar O-112 variety has an R3 rarity rating. In its population report, NGC shows 1 at the MS61 level with just 6 higher.