William Herschel discovered NGC 5223 = H III-407 = h1640 on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405) and recorded "Two [along with III-408 = NGC 5228], the time is that of the most south; both vF and vS; but the most north NGC 5228] is the faintest and smallest of the two. Dist about 6 or 7'." His position is 20 sec of RA too far west. JH made 3 observations, recording on sweep 131 "F; S; R; has a star sp", and measured an accurate position.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/23/98): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 40" diameter, very little concentration. A mag 13 star is nearly attached on the SW side, 44" from the center. At 280x, a very small core is visible and the galaxy has an uneven surface brightness. Brightest in a group with NGC 5228 5.6' NNE and NGC 5233 10' E.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb