LOT #7851 |
Sold on Jul 21, 2004 for: Sign-in
or Join (free & quick)
1797 50C --Environmental Damage--ANACS. AU Details, Net XF40....
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
Sold on Jul 21, 2004 for:
$71,300.00
Bid Source: Live: Floor bidder
Description
Rare 1797 Half Dollar With AU Details
1797 50C --Environmental Damage--ANACS. AU Details, Net XF40. O-102. One of the great rarities of American numismatics, the Draped Bust Small Eagle half dollar, bearing the dates 1796 and 1797, is transitional between the Flowing Hair type of 1794-1795 and the Draped Bust type of 1801-1807 with a Heraldic, or large Eagle, reverse. Some numismatists attribute the Draped Bust design, which first appeared on the silver dollar in 1795, to the American portraitist Gilbert Stuart, and credit John Eckstein with the reverse small eagle perched on the clouds. These attributions are as yet unproven, however. The Draped Bust half dollar is the most elusive U.S. silver type coin, if indeed not one of the most difficult of all U.S. type coins. While dated 1796 and 1797, Mint records indicate that all 3,918 pieces were coined in 1797. The first 60 coins were delivered February 28, the second delivery of 874 pieces was March 21, and 2,984 coins were delivered May 26. All three deliveries were made to the Bank of the United States. Four varieties are known, a 15 star and a 16 star variety for the 1796 issue, and two 1797 varieties based on slight alignment differences of the reverse wreath. Published estimates on the number of extant specimens vary from approximately 100 to 300 examples. Our own research, to date, accounts for about 220 specimens. These range throughout the grading continuum, but show a relatively high number in the VF category. The present Overton 102 example is attributed by the tip of the upper left leaf on the olive branch that is located beneath the second T in STATES, and the tip of the upper right palm branch that terminates at the end of the left foot of the F in OF. The fields are toned a light to medium gray, with the highpoints of the design elements showing a more silverish color. Liberty's hair strands are nicely defined, with some weakness in the hair near the temple. The dentils, along with the stars along the right obverse border, are weak, as typical for this variety. The eagle's head, neck, breast, and legs, while raised, are weak in the center areas. The reverse rim shows relatively strong dentilation, and all of the design elements are well centered on the planchet. The surfaces do not reveal any major abrasions, but are lightly porous on the obverse, and more moderately so on the reverse. Adjustment marks (as made) are located along the right and upper obverse border, with a few extending into Liberty's hair at the very top of the head.Ex: Heritage Rare Coin Galleries, 1986.
From The Willamette Collection. (#6060) (Registry values: N10218)
Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 24EC, PCGS# 6060, GSID# 6127)
Metal: 89.24% Silver, 10.76% Copper
Weight: 13.48 grams
ASW: 0.38676oz
Mintage: 3,918
View all of [The Willamette Collection ]
Auction Info
2004 July New York, NY Signature Sale #320 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
July, 2004
20th-21st
Tuesday-Wednesday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 14
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 991
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
15% of the successful bid per lot.
Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms | US & World Coin Grading Tutorial
Important information concerning Sales Tax and Resale Certificates. Learn More
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms | US & World Coin Grading Tutorial