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1796 50C 15 Stars Fine 12 NGC. O-101, R.5....

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Sold on Oct 13, 2011 for:
$46,000.00 Bid Source: Internet bidder
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Description

1796 15 Stars Half Dollar, O-101, Fine 12
An Attractive, Problem-Free Specimen

1796 50C 15 Stars Fine 12 NGC. O-101, R.5. The Draped Bust Small Eagle half dollar design type, bearing the dates 1796 or 1797, is one of the most important coin series in U.S. numismatics. Its paltry mintage of 3,918 pieces and relatively low survival rate (probably in the order of 275 to 300 specimens) makes it a "must have" coin to complete a date/variety collection of early half dollars or an advanced type set of U.S. coinage. While not the rarest American type coin (that distinction goes to the 1796 No Stars and 1808 quarter eagles, each of which has a lower mintage and lower number of extant examples), perusal of standard wholesale and retail price guides indicates that the Draped Bust Small Eagle half dollar exhibits, in most levels of preservation, the highest value among all type coins. Type collectors apparently exert more demand on silver-minor coinage than on early gold. Additionally, 1796-1797 half dollars saw extensive circulation, and unfortunately many (as with other rare coins) were subjected to contemporary abuses such as piercing, graffiti, deep scratches, and countermarks, along with modern-day "improvements" like reengraved design features, plugs, smoothed fields, scratch removal, whizzing, burnishing, and other forms of cleaning.
It is refreshing, therefore, to come across a 1796-1797 half dollar that is devoid of significant impairments. The present Fine 12 example displays the moderate to heavy wear one would expect for the designated grade. Yet the main devices are well outlined, especially on the obverse, where Liberty's middle and lower hair displays virtually VF definition. Some localized weakness is noted along the rims, especially above LIBERTY and AMERICA; the remaining dentilation is relatively strong. Both sides are blue-gray with violet-rose overtones, and each is fairly clean save for some insignificant pinscratches in the interiors. A minor rim flaw above ER of LIBERTY and a corresponding one to the lower right of the fraction identify the coin, as do trivial rim bumps above the D in UNITED and ES in STATES. All in all, an attractive example of this piece of Americana.
Ex: Heritage Auctions (9/1988), lot 653; Heritage Auctions (2/1989), lot 657; American Numismatic Rarities (6/2006), lot 1428.
From The Christmas Lake Collection.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 24E8, PCGS# 6057, Greysheet# 6124)

Weight: 13.48 grams

Metal: 89.24% Silver, 10.76% Copper

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Auction Info

2011 October 13-16 US Coins Signature Auction- Pittsburgh #1160 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
October, 2011
13th-16th Thursday-Sunday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 13
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 3,211

Buyer's Premium per Lot:
15% of the successful bid per lot.

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Sold on Oct 13, 2011 for: $46,000.00
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