I was looking for a bust half that had the "fresh out of the mint" look without costing a fortune, more or less as a type coin, and one that I could show to non collecting friends and family so that they could appreciate the design. I won this on Sheridan Downey's most recent auction, AU58 with very few marks, and some interesting double profile stuff around the face and neck. Coin #2, also an R1, has really nice warm coppery toning and nicely struck details. AU55 CAC, formerly in the collection of Tim Osborne (as the previous coin) and before him Floyd Farley. My images don't capture the underlying flash of the surfaces.
Thanks micbraun. Not happy with the first set of photos, I have made some color adjustments that more accurately reflect how the coin looks in hand.
That’s the dealer you want to work with when acquiring rare Bust halves. https://www.sheridanscoins.com/
When I bought my 1837 AU58 half from him, Sheridan sent it to me "on approval" even though I didn't ask; and I don't think I had bought anything from him before.
You have a great reputation. Dealers work with folks like you. Not much risk of something going wrong.