1796 1/2 C With Pole, C-2, B-2, High R.4, Good 4 PCGS....

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1796 C-2, B-2 Half Cent, Good 4
The Clapp-Eliasberg With Pole

1796 1/2 C With Pole, C-2, B-2, High R.4, Good 4 PCGS. The actual mintage of 1796-dated half cents has been debated with some stating that the total production of both varieties was just 1,390 coins from the October 14, 1796 delivery. More likely, as William Eckberg and others have observed, the mintage was 6,480 coins. The 1796 half cents are famous as the key date of circulation-strike half cent issues with perhaps 140 examples known, almost all in low grades although a few high grade survivors are also known.

The Eliasberg cataloger graded this piece Good 6 (obverse) and AG3 (reverse), noting smooth and pleasing ebony surfaces with a small obverse rim nick at 2 o'clock. That rim nick matches the plate in the Morris catalog from 1905. Series specialists celebrate any offering of a 1796 half cent regardless of its grade.
Ex: Charles Morris Collection (S.H. & H. Chapman, 4/1905), lot 871; J.M. Clapp; John H. Clapp; Clapp Estate (1942); Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr.; Eliasberg Estate (Bowers and Merena, 5/1996), lot 408.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 2227, Variety PCGS# 35098, Base PCGS# 1027, Greysheet# 80864)

Weight: 6.74 grams

Metal: 100% Copper

View Certification Details from PCGS