1796 50C 15 Stars, O-101, T-1, R.5, VF30 PCGS. Amato-134....

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1796 15 Stars Half Dollar, VF30
O-101, Attractive Late Die State Example

1796 50C 15 Stars, O-101, T-1, R.5, VF30 PCGS. Amato-134. Tompkins Die State 5/3. Just four varieties make up the entire output of Draped Bust Small Eagle half dollars, struck during a two-year period from 1796 to 1797. The subset presents a formidable challenge for variety collectors, who must compete with type collectors for the few available coins. Half dollars with the Small Eagle reverse coupled with Robert Scot's Draped Bust obverse are dated either 1796 or 1797. Most likely, all of the coins were struck in 1797, with the exact mintage of 1796 vs. 1797 coins an enigma that puzzles researchers even today.

The 1796-dated varieties are easily identified. O-101 (T-1) has 15 obverse stars, while the 1796 O-102 (T-2) displays 16 stars. The two 1797 varieties share a common 15-Star obverse -- a different die than the 1796 15-Star obverse -- distinguished one from the other by the reverse die. The reported mintage for both years combined is 3,918 pieces, of which we believe fewer than 300 total coins are extant today.

The present VF30 1796 15 Stars piece is sure to please the early half dollar date/variety specialist, as well as the collector seeking to complete a design-type collection of U.S. coinage. The coin shows sharp definition for the grade. The obverse displays crisp details despite a late die stage. Liberty's hair strands in are sharp, as is the dentilation on both sides, the sole exception being that on the upper obverse. Particularly noteworthy is the clarity in most of the diagnostic semi-circular crack above Liberty's shoulder; this fine crack is usually visible only on higher-end VF and better examples. The reverse is bold as well. Strong definition exists on about 50% of the eagle's wing plumage, along with that on the tail.

Soft champagne-gold patina accented with whispers of sky-blue and lavender covers both sides, and traces of luster are visible in some of the motif interstices, especially those of Liberty's hair and the eagle's feathers. The surfaces are relatively clean for a coin having seen light to moderate circulation. A couple of inoffensive obverse pinscratches are only mentioned for complete accuracy, and two minute marks near the rim above star 7, one between 9 and 6 in the date, and another to the top right of the 2 in the fraction may help in identifying the coin for future catalogers and researchers.
From The Merrill Collection.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 24E9, Variety PCGS# 39261, Base PCGS# 6057, Greysheet# 194083)

Weight: 13.48 grams

Metal: 89.24% Silver, 10.76% Copper

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