1796 50C O-101 15 Stars, MS
1796 50C 15 Stars, O-101, T-1, Low R.5 -- Repaired, Re-Engraved -- NGC Details. Fine. Amato-165a. Tompkins Die State 1/1. The Draped Bust, Small Eagle half dollar type lasted for only two short years, with coins dated 1796 and 1797. Most likely, the entire two-year mintage was struck in 1797, with the first two deliveries in February and March 1797 consisting of 1796-dated half dollars. The 1797-dated half dollars were delivered in May 1797. Together, the two dates represent the rarest two-year type among all U.S. silver issues and one of the rarest types in all of U.S. numismatics. Only about 250 pieces survive of the type, with many of those coins in low grades showing various impairments. This 1796 examples displays 15 obverse stars and was struck by perfect dies. No die cracks are seen on either the obverse or the reverse -- a rarity for the O-101 (T-1) variety, since it lacks the usual die crack from the border at 5 o'clock to Liberty's drapery. The late Dr. Jon Amato traced only six examples of this early die state in his 2012 reference, The Draped Bust Half Dollars of 1796-1797. Even today, we know of no more than seven early die state examples including this exact coin. Lightly granular surfaces show areas of repair and re-engraving, especially visible at Liberty's upper hair at the back of the head and at the drapery. Brownish-gray toning frames the silver-gray central devices. Fine Details remain and the peripheral elements are sharp. No adjustment marks are seen. The rare early die state suggests that this coin was among the first 1796 half dollars struck at the early Philadelphia Mint. HID10510052018 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
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1796 50C 15 Stars, O-101, T-1, Low R.5 -- Repaired, Re-Engraved -- NGC Details. Fine. Amato-165a. Tompkins Die State 1/1. The Draped Bust, Small Eagle half dollar type lasted for only two short years, with coins dated 1796 and 1797. Most likely, the entire two-year mintage was struck in 1797, with the first two deliveries in February and March 1797 consisting of 1796-dated half dollars. The 1797-dated half dollars were delivered in May 1797. Together, the two dates represent the rarest two-year type among all U.S. silver issues and one of the rarest types in all of U.S. numismatics. Only about 250 pieces survive of the type, with many of those coins in low grades showing various impairments. This 1796 examples displays 15 obverse stars and was struck by perfect dies. No die cracks are seen on either the obverse or the reverse -- a rarity for the O-101 (T-1) variety, since it lacks the usual die crack from the border at 5 o'clock to Liberty's drapery. The late Dr. Jon Amato traced only six examples of this early die state in his 2012 reference, The Draped Bust Half Dollars of 1796-1797. Even today, we know of no more than seven early die state examples including this exact coin. Lightly granular surfaces show areas of repair and re-engraving, especially visible at Liberty's upper hair at the back of the head and at the drapery. Brownish-gray toning frames the silver-gray central devices. Fine Details remain and the peripheral elements are sharp. No adjustment marks are seen. The rare early die state suggests that this coin was among the first 1796 half dollars struck at the early Philadelphia Mint. HID10510052018 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
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