1793 1/2 C C-3, B-3, R.3, MS62 Brown PCGS....

Click the image to load the highest resolution version.

Sold on Feb 9, 2023 for:

$66,000.00 Bid Source: HA.com/Live bidder

Get one of these:

Share this lot

Track Item Printable Auction Results

Sell One of These

Description

Auction Info

Guides & Info

Description

1793 C-3 Half Cent, MS62 Brown
First Year of Mint Operations

1793 1/2 C C-3, B-3, R.3, MS62 Brown PCGS. The 1793 Liberty Cap has obvious significance as the first half cent produced by the Mint, and it is also a highly coveted one-year type. In the informative Encyclopedia of United States Half Cents: 1793-1857, Walter Breen wrote that the Philadelphia Mint prepared two obverse and three reverse dies for this issue between April and July 1793. The obverse design was based on sketches prepared by David Rittenhouse, who in turn relied heavily on Augustin Dupré's attractive Libertas Americana medal of 1782. On July 20, the first 7,000 pieces were produced, followed by 24,934 coins on July 26, and a further 3,400 pieces on September 18. These three deliveries totaled a mere 35,334 coins.

The surfaces on this extraordinary Mint State representative are an appealing medium brown color with hints of faded pinkish-orange that is primarily seen around the peripheral areas of the reverse. The high points of the devices are uniformly bold, and none of the usual porosity, corrosion, or other problems that so often mar these important early coppers are visible. A small obverse rim bruise is noted over LI. The Condition Census status of this high-quality 1793 half cent is secure, making it a landmark offering for the quality-conscious collector.
Ex: 1959 ANA (Leo A. Young, 8/1959), lot 402; Kagin's; Leo A. Young; Auction '80 (RARCOA, 8/1980), lot 1512; later, Long Beach Signature Sale (Heritage, 2/2002), lot 5018; Central States Signature Sale (Heritage, 8/2006), lot 5017; Central States Signature (Heritage, 4/2013), lot 4110; The Jim O'Neal Collection of U.S. Type, Part One / Central States Signature (Heritage, 4/2014), lot 5498; New York Signature (Heritage, 11/2016), lot 5111; D.L. Hansen Collection; Internet Auction #1043 (David Lawrence, 10/2018), lot 1000; Cardinal Collection Educational Foundation; Global Showcase Auction (Stack's Bowers, 8/2022), lot 7008.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 2222, Variety PCGS# 35009, Base PCGS# 1000, Greysheet# 80837)

Weight: 6.74 grams

Metal: Copper

View Certification Details from PCGS