Heritage World Coin Auctions
FUN Signature US Coin Sale 1251 4-6 & 8-9 Jan 2017
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Early Half Dollars
1796 50C 15 Stars, O-101, T-1, R.5, Fine 12 PCGS. Amato-162. Any Draped Bust Small Eagle half dollar that makes an auction appearance is a "marquee event," regardless of condition. And original, problem-free specimens such as the present Fine 12 coin are especially desirable. This is due to the minuscule 1796-1797 half dollar mintage of 3,918 pieces and relatively low survival rate of perhaps 300 examples. An important key for the completion of a type collection of United States coinage, a 1796-1797 half dollar is frequently absent from all but the most advanced collections.
Soft bluish-gray toning is imbued with whispers of golden-tan laced with hints of red on the reverse. Some strands are visible in the lower portion of Liberty's hair and the drapery is delineated at the bust tip. About one-half of the eagle's wing feathers show and the torso is separated from each wing. The surfaces on both sides are remarkably clean. A tiny rim mark above ER of LIBERTY and another below the twist in the right ribbon on the reverse (both appear to be as-made planchet flaws) serve to identify the coin, as does a vertical spot beneath the stem of the laurel wreath. No adjustment marks are evident. This coin will be an attractive addition to a U.S. type set.
Ex: Long Beach Signature (Heritage, 9/1988), lot 653; Long Beach Signature (Heritage, 2/1989), lot 657; Pete Tremblay Collection (American Numismatic Rarities, 6/2006), lot 1428; ANA Signature (Heritage, 10/2011), lot 3673.
1796 50C 15 Stars, O-101, T-1, R.5, Fine 12 PCGS. Amato-162. Any Draped Bust Small Eagle half dollar that makes an auction appearance is a "marquee event," regardless of condition. And original, problem-free specimens such as the present Fine 12 coin are especially desirable. This is due to the minuscule 1796-1797 half dollar mintage of 3,918 pieces and relatively low survival rate of perhaps 300 examples. An important key for the completion of a type collection of United States coinage, a 1796-1797 half dollar is frequently absent from all but the most advanced collections.
Soft bluish-gray toning is imbued with whispers of golden-tan laced with hints of red on the reverse. Some strands are visible in the lower portion of Liberty's hair and the drapery is delineated at the bust tip. About one-half of the eagle's wing feathers show and the torso is separated from each wing. The surfaces on both sides are remarkably clean. A tiny rim mark above ER of LIBERTY and another below the twist in the right ribbon on the reverse (both appear to be as-made planchet flaws) serve to identify the coin, as does a vertical spot beneath the stem of the laurel wreath. No adjustment marks are evident. This coin will be an attractive addition to a U.S. type set.
Ex: Long Beach Signature (Heritage, 9/1988), lot 653; Long Beach Signature (Heritage, 2/1989), lot 657; Pete Tremblay Collection (American Numismatic Rarities, 6/2006), lot 1428; ANA Signature (Heritage, 10/2011), lot 3673.