1793 1/2 C MS61 Brown PCGS. CAC....

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Description

Significant 1793 C-2, B-2 Half Cent
MS61 Brown
Ex: Richard Picker Collection

1793 1/2 C MS61 Brown PCGS. CAC. C-2, B-2, R.3. Manley Die State 1 as always, with the obverse die rusted and the reverse die perfect. The obverse die was used for C-1 and C-2, and is quickly recognized by the smoothly curved bust line just above the date. This is the most visible diagnostic, although some advise noting the position of the forecurl below the I in LIBERTY. The other obverse has this line sharply bent where it joins the hair and the forecurl below the L. The reverse has the legend widely spaced with the final A joined to the right stem end. Each branch of the wreath has 15 leaves.
Ronald Manley notes in The Half Cents Die State Book that this variety is normally found in low grades, but at least two Mint State pieces exist. Walter Breen recorded five Uncirculated pieces along with six AU coins, although he noted that some of those listings may be duplicates. This specimen is one of the AU pieces listed in Breen's roster, from the Richard Picker Collection where it was cataloged as Uncirculated.
For the benefit of those who have no access to the September 1968 Merkin catalog where this piece was offered, we reprint the description of lot 27 from that catalog:

1793 Gilbert 3. Forelock below I; fraction bar bent between ribbons; heavily rusted dies. Unc., light brown, plenty of faded mint color. No significant blemishes inflicted after striking. Between Y and hair are two shallow pre-striking flan chips; opposite D and 200 are two edge planchet defects superficially looking like rim dents, though careful examination with a glass shows their true origin. Obv. die rust is as advanced as we have ever seen' rev. die rust is as on some Gilbert 1's [Cohen-3], unpublished die state, hitherto unknown. At present only six are recorded in mint state; which of these is finer is principally a matter of color preference. From a very old noncollector estate; never before auctioned.

Today, we are unable to add more to the description or to clarify any parts there of. The coin has lovely intermingled light and medium brown, with considerable gold that has faded from mint red, and with pale blue and lilac patina especially on the obverse. EAC 55.
Ex: Richard Picker Collection (Lester Merkin, 9/1968), lot 27.(Registry values: P8)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 2222, PCGS# 1000, GSID# 429)

Metal: 100% Copper
Weight: 6.74 grams
Weight: 0.23775oz
Mintage: 35,334

View Certification Details from PCGS