1796 50C 15 Stars VF25 PCGS....

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Pleasing 1796 Half Dollar
VF25, O-101, R.5

1796 50C 15 Stars VF25 PCGS. O-101, R.5. Following a relatively high production for the 1795 Flowing Hair half dollar (nearly 300,000 pieces), mintage of the 1796-1797 Draped Bust Small Eagle design type totaled only 3,918 coins. No half dollars at all were minted in 1798 through 1800, and when the denomination resumed in 1801, the Small Eagle reverse was replaced with a Heraldic Eagle.
The small mintage of 1796 and 1797 halves presents a significant obstacle to collectors seeking to complete a type set of U.S. coinage. Indeed, many, if not most, type collections lack this important key. Date and variety specialists create additional demand.
Ocean-blue shades embrace the fields of the present offering, while the lightly toned devices are pearl-gray. This example is sharp for its designated grade, since the denticles are individually distinctive, and Liberty's hair and the eagle's wings exhibit considerable inner detail. No adjustment marks are evident, and the few contacts scattered about are in line with what is expected for a coin that has seen light to moderate circulation. For pedigree purposes, we mention a couple of marks on Liberty's middle chest, another to the upper left of star 11, and a small cluster between the eagle's head and right (facing) wing.
As seen on most survivors of the O-101 marriage, a die crack begins at the rim near 3:30 and reaches star 13, then continues down through stars 14 and 15 into the curve of an inner drapery fold, with a bold branch crack to the rim at 5 o'clock. A second arc-shaped die crack is noted above Liberty's shoulder. This latter crack is not mentioned in the standard Overton reference, but is visible on the plate coin for O-101. The above reference also mentions a "small die defect" in the lower fold of Liberty's drapery (just above the 6 in the date). This "defect" is actually part of the network of aforementioned cracks.
This is a pleasing specimen that will delight the new owner. Encapsulated in a green label PCGS holder.
Ex: James Kelly (11/1957), lot 1588; R.E. Cox, Jr. Collection, Metro New York Numismatic Convention (Stack's, 4/1962), lot 1756.
From The Menlo Park 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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