1829 B-1, C-1, R.1, MS66 Red and Brown PCGS. CAC. Our EAC Grade MS64....

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Description

1829 B-1, C-1 Half Cent, MS66 Red and Brown
Elusive With Mint Color

1829 B-1, C-1, R.1, MS66 Red and Brown PCGS. CAC. Our EAC Grade MS64. Equivalents. Proskey 1: 1-A; Ross 1-A; Gilbert-1; Empire-73; Cohen-1; Breen-1; Bowers-Whitman 1; Eckberg 1-A.

Rarity. R.1. The Bowers-Whitman Guide Book estimates that 3,000 to 5,000 1829 half cents survive, while Eckberg places the total at 3,800 pieces.

Obverse 1 appears on Breen-1, the only 1829-dated variety. Stars 1 and 2 are close, and Stars 6 and 7 are distant. The left edge of the hair curl is over the left half of the 9. The closely-spaced date is close to the border. The 2 has a knobbed top, the only occurrence among 1820s dated half cents.

Reverse A appears on Breen-1. The highest leaf point extends slightly past the final S. The U and final A are close to the ribbon and stem. The E and S in STATES are high. A long, nearly vertical spine from the lowest inside leaf pierces the C in CENT. A short spine extends up from the inside right top of the H.

Edge. Plain.

Surfaces. This delightful Premium Gem has 50% or more of the original orange mint color remaining on each side with wisps of blue over the light chocolate-brown toning. The surfaces are pristine.

Die State. Manley Die State 1.0. The scarce early die state showing bold border dentils.

Appearances. Illustrated at the PCGS Set Registry record of the McGuigan Collection. Plated in the 1993 Bowers and Merena catalog.

PCGS Population (5/2022). PCGS has examined nearly 600 1829 half cents in all grades, including just five coins certified as MS66 Red and Brown, with none finer.

Commentary. This piece certainly ranks among the top half dozen known examples of the date. There are no individually recorded 1829 half cents in the Breen-Hanson Condition Census with the following comment: "Common in all grades, except for pristine, mint red Uncirculated; brown Uncirculated specimens are available for a price." Since our Permanent Auction Archives were established in 1993, we have handled 100 Mint State 1829 half cents, including one designated Red, seven graded Red and Brown, and 92 called Brown.

McGuigan Commentary. Choice frosty original mint red and brown. Early die state (M1.0) with die defects at the top of "H" in HALF and "C" in CENT.

Provenance. Ex: Bowers and Merena (9/1993), lot 3558.

Personality. The Mint's Second Chief Engraver, William Kneass, was born at Lancaster, Pennsylvania on September 25, 1780 and died at Philadelphia on August 28, 1840. His employment at the Mint witnessed the transition from the first to the second facility. He was appointed as Robert Scot's successor on January 29, 1824, and served the position until his death. He was the son of Christopher and Anna (Feltman) Kneass, the husband of Mary Turner Honeymoon and later, Jane Kramer, and the father of four children.
From The James R. McGuigan Half Cent Collection.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 222X, Variety PCGS# 35268, Base PCGS# 1154)

Weight: 5.44 grams

Metal: 100% Copper

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