LOT #3939 |
Sold on Jan 15, 2026 for: Sign-in
or Join (free & quick)
1797 50C O-102, T-2, Low R.6. -- Cleaned -- PCGS Genuine. Amato-519....
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
Sold on Jan 15, 2026 for:
$31,720.00
Bid Source: Internet bidder
Description
1797 Half Dollar
Challenging O-102 Variety
1797 50C O-102, T-2, Low R.6. -- Cleaned -- PCGS Genuine.
Amato-519. Ex: Manhattan Collection. Tompkins Die State 1/1.
The Overton-102 (T-2) 1797 Small Eagle half dollars are the rarest
variety of the rarest design type in all of U.S. silver coinage. A
total of 3,918 Small Eagle halves were struck, split between the
1796 and 1797-dated coins. Two varieties of 1797 halves exist, of
which the O-102 has an estimated survival of less than 50 coins
(12/25). In The Draped Bust Half Dollars of 1796-1797,
Numismatic Background and Census by the late Dr. Jon P. Amato,
this O-102 is included in the census of 36 examples as Coin Serial
Number 519. The piece, referred to as the Southern Gentleman
Specimen, was uncertified at the time of publishing with a grade
offered of Very Fine obverse and Fine reverse. PCGS has since
certified the coin as Genuine. The PCGS number ending in 92
suggests cleaning as the reason, or perhaps one of the reasons,
that PCGS deemed this coin not gradable. In our opinion, this coin
has the details of a strong VG specimen that has been cleaned.The coin exhibits typical strike weakness on the upper right obverse edges and lower right reverse edges, and elsewhere the devices are fully outlined. A series of three vertical marks on the eagle's lower middle torso serve as pedigree markers. Adjustment marks begin under the fraction and continue along the right edges up through AMERICA. The obverse devices are layered in soft hues of tan-gold on shimmering fields of silver. The reverse shows the same yet adds splashes of lilac and russet on the lower and left edges. Eye appeal is delightful. Among the 100 Greatest U.S. Coins (#66 in 6th edition).
Ex: A Southern Gentleman's Collection (Stack's, 6/1989), lot 1751.
Auction Info
2026 January 14 - 17 FUN US Coins Signature® Auction #1390 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
January, 2026
14th-17th
Wednesday-Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 25
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 330
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
22% 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