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Long Beach Signature Sale 1377 12-15 Sep 2024
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Early Half Dollars
1797 50C O-101a, T-1, High R.4, AU50 PCGS. Ex: Friend. Tompkins Die State 3/4. The 1797 O-101 (T-1) obverse has 15 stars, an anachronistic number since Tennessee achieved statehood on June 1, 1796 as the 16th state. Either a partially completed obverse die was carried over from the previous year, or the die sinker was behind on the news and unaware of the current number of states. Or, maybe it was simply a mistake. The 2025 Guide Book mintage of 1796 and 1797 halves gives the traditionally quoted total of 3,918 pieces. Steve Tompkins makes a strong argument that the true number of 1797-dated half dollars is actually 1,984 pieces (or thereabouts), with the balance dated 1796. Based on the number of surviving examples, the approximate 50/50 split of the reported mintage makes sense for both dates. Al Overton believed just 1,600 pieces were struck for both 1797 varieties combined.
Both the reverse and obverse dies show die cracks, with the reverse in a later die state than the obverse. Indeed, it was the reverse die that failed first, while the obverse soldiered on to strike the scarce O-102 1797 halves before it, too, expired. No fewer than a dozen die cracks are visible on the reverse -- many of them lengthy, extending to (or through) the eagle.
This wholly original Small Eagle half displays even lavender-gray toning throughout both sides, with the reverse a notch lighter than the richly toned obverse. Both sides are well-centered with ample remaining definition, although the cracked reverse die may have something to do with a slightly weak strike on the eagle's breast and leg. Traces of mint luster glow in protected areas. A loupe reveals some hair-thin abrasions and minor marks, plus a few remnant adjustment marks at the lower reverse margin. Overall, the surfaces are remarkably well-preserved for the Small Eagle type and the eye appeal is strong.
Ex: February 3, 4, 5 Sale (Superior Galleries, 2/1991), lot 1632 as XF40 PCGS; Frontenac Sale (Bowers and Merena, 11/1991), lot 3018 as XF40 PCGS; Douglas L. Noblet Collection (Bowers and Merena, 1/1999), lot 5 as XF45 PCGS; Richard Genaitis Collection (Heritage, 8/2001), lot 6092 as XF45 PCGS; Classics Sale (Stack's/ANR, 6/2004), lot 1004 as AU50 PCGS, realized $138,000; Premium Numismatics, Inc.; Dale Friend PCGS Set Registry; ANA World's Fair of Money Signature (Heritage, 8/2018), lot 5120. From The Duffy Family Collection.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/early-half-dollars/1797-50c-o-101a-t-1-high-r4-au50-pcgs/a/1377-3050.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-USCoins-1377-09122024
HID02906262019
© 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
1797 50C O-101a, T-1, High R.4, AU50 PCGS. Ex: Friend. Tompkins Die State 3/4. The 1797 O-101 (T-1) obverse has 15 stars, an anachronistic number since Tennessee achieved statehood on June 1, 1796 as the 16th state. Either a partially completed obverse die was carried over from the previous year, or the die sinker was behind on the news and unaware of the current number of states. Or, maybe it was simply a mistake. The 2025 Guide Book mintage of 1796 and 1797 halves gives the traditionally quoted total of 3,918 pieces. Steve Tompkins makes a strong argument that the true number of 1797-dated half dollars is actually 1,984 pieces (or thereabouts), with the balance dated 1796. Based on the number of surviving examples, the approximate 50/50 split of the reported mintage makes sense for both dates. Al Overton believed just 1,600 pieces were struck for both 1797 varieties combined.
Both the reverse and obverse dies show die cracks, with the reverse in a later die state than the obverse. Indeed, it was the reverse die that failed first, while the obverse soldiered on to strike the scarce O-102 1797 halves before it, too, expired. No fewer than a dozen die cracks are visible on the reverse -- many of them lengthy, extending to (or through) the eagle.
This wholly original Small Eagle half displays even lavender-gray toning throughout both sides, with the reverse a notch lighter than the richly toned obverse. Both sides are well-centered with ample remaining definition, although the cracked reverse die may have something to do with a slightly weak strike on the eagle's breast and leg. Traces of mint luster glow in protected areas. A loupe reveals some hair-thin abrasions and minor marks, plus a few remnant adjustment marks at the lower reverse margin. Overall, the surfaces are remarkably well-preserved for the Small Eagle type and the eye appeal is strong.
Ex: February 3, 4, 5 Sale (Superior Galleries, 2/1991), lot 1632 as XF40 PCGS; Frontenac Sale (Bowers and Merena, 11/1991), lot 3018 as XF40 PCGS; Douglas L. Noblet Collection (Bowers and Merena, 1/1999), lot 5 as XF45 PCGS; Richard Genaitis Collection (Heritage, 8/2001), lot 6092 as XF45 PCGS; Classics Sale (Stack's/ANR, 6/2004), lot 1004 as AU50 PCGS, realized $138,000; Premium Numismatics, Inc.; Dale Friend PCGS Set Registry; ANA World's Fair of Money Signature (Heritage, 8/2018), lot 5120. From The Duffy Family Collection.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/early-half-dollars/1797-50c-o-101a-t-1-high-r4-au50-pcgs/a/1377-3050.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-USCoins-1377-09122024
HID02906262019
© 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved