Whidbey Island Type Set
1/2c DRAPED BUST (1800-08)

Owner Comments:

This is the most common variety of 1805 half cent, with a medium 5 in the date and no stems on the wreath. Robert Scott, born in 1745, was the chief engraver of the mint when these dies were made. As he aged, the dies he prepared exhibited more and more blunders. The wreath punch used on the reverse of both the half cent and large cent had no stems or berries on it. These features had to be placed by hand by the engraver on the die. As Scott aged, his vision worsened and he failed to add the stems to the wreath of this die. The mint wanted to hire an assistant for him, but he strongly refused their offer, probably fearing for his own job security. As a result, many interesting blunders are available to the present day collector.

The top of the 5 on the date of this coin is sharply recut and can be easily seen when the photograph is enlarged. This feature is found on the majority of medium 5 pieces.