LOT #3048 |
Current Bid: $2,100
1796 50C 15 Stars, O-101, T-1, Low R.5, AU53 PCGS. CAC. Amato-115. ...
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Description
1796 15 Stars Half Dollar, O-101, AU53
Rare Draped Bust, Small Eagle Type, CAC
Seldom Available at This Grade or Finer
The Prestera Example
1796 50C 15 Stars, O-101, T-1, Low R.5, AU53 PCGS. CAC.
Amato-115. Tompkins Die State 5/3. The 1796-1797 Small Eagle
half dollars have a combined mintage of only 3,918 pieces, making
the two dates the rarest of all silver type coins, as well as
ranking highly among the rarest types in the entire U.S. Federal
series. The early Mint's markedly low Small Eagle production is
split evenly between the two dates, with an estimated 1,934 pieces
struck for the 1796-dated coins and about 1,984 pieces struck for
the 1797-dated coins. Two varieties exist for each date. This 1796
O-101,T-1 example employs a 15-Stars obverse die prepared sometime
before admittance of Tennessee to statehood. The obverse is paired
with a reverse used for both 1796-dated varieties. The reverse die
was then carried over to strike 1797 coins. Mint delivery warrants
indicate all 1796-dated half dollars were struck sometime after
February 1797. This About Uncirculated example shows a late obverse
die state, with numerous die cracks through the drapery and
lower-right stars. The obverse shows repunching on the 1 and 6 in
the date, with the left stars more widely spaced than those on the
right. Star 9 nearly touches Y of LIBERTY.Dappled brownish-gray accents embellish the silver-gray surfaces of this nearly Choice About Uncirculated early half. Golden reflectivity exists throughout the borders and within the well-struck motifs. While most 1796 survivors show notable marks or planchet irregularities, this high-end example stands out for its lack of distinguishing identifiers. Three tiny, deep-gray toning spots -- one between I and B of LIBERTY and another two at the date (one near 1 and the other between 9 and 6) are useful for pedigree confirmation. There are no adjustment marks to be seen and mint luster remains visible not only at the margins, but in select interior areas. A pair of tiny rim nicks -- one above the left serif of Y in LIBERTY and the other above the final A in AMERICA -- are hidden by the previous generation PCGS holder. This gently circulated 1796 half dollar is exceptional for its high grade and surface quality, easily earning CAC endorsement. While the top dozen O-101 examples are understandably tightly held, our records show only one auction appearance some 18 years ago in Stack's June 2007 sale of the Dr. Tory Prestera Collection, where it realized $149,500. Previously, the coin was held for many years in the Lawrence R. Stack type collection. PCGS Population: 1 in 53, 11 finer. CAC: 1 in 53, 0 finer (8/25).
From The Hawkeye 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
View all of [The Hawkeye Collection. ]
Auction Info
2025 October 2 - 5 GACC US Coins Signature® Auction #1386 (go to Auction Home page)
Proxy Bidding Ends
October
2nd
Thursday
12:50 pm CT
Auction Dates
October
2nd-5th
Thursday-Sunday
Proxy Bidding Time Remaining
19 Days
15h 43m 6s
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 11
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This lot is in: 1 -
Signature® Premier Floor Session - PREMIER (Live Floor, Live Phone, Mail, Fax, Internet, and Heritage Live):
(Lots 3001-3238) - 1:00 PM Central Time, Thursday, October 2, 2025.
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