1796 1/2 C With Pole, C-2, B-2, High R.4, VF30 PCGS....

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1796 C-2, B-2 Half Cent, VF30
Important Series Key

1796 1/2 C With Pole, C-2, B-2, High R.4, VF30 PCGS. Struck from perfect dies, as always for this low-mintage issue. A sensational example of the series key. There are likely no more than 150 surviving 1796 half cents of both varieties, the No Pole and the With Pole. Although a few high-grade Mint State pieces are known, those are out of the price range of most collectors. This pleasing Choice VF example has exquisite surfaces for the grade, clearly far above average for the issue.

The 1796 half cent mintage has been debated for decades. The traditional figure of 1,390 pieces is doubtful as that would suggest a survival rate well above 10%. Half cent student William Eckberg suggests that the mintage was most likely 6,480 coins. His commentary in The Half Cent, 1793-1857, The Story of America's Greatest Little Coin is invaluable. There were three deliveries of half cents during the last three quarters of the year: 3,350 on April 19, 1,740 on June 8, and 1,390 on October 14. Eckberg opines that the With Pole coins were struck first, in April and June, and that the No Pole coins followed in October.

This piece is nicely struck and well-centered on the planchet. The upper hair curls and inside edge of the cap are weak or missing, and that is characteristic of genuine 1796 With Pole half cents. The smooth surfaces exhibit a pleasing blend of tan, charcoal, and chestnut-brown with a solitary verdigris spot at Liberty's throat. There are no other handling or circulation marks worth mentioning on either side of this lovely half cent.
Ex: Shawn Yancey; Jay Parrino; US Coins Signature (Heritage, 8/2020), lot 3904; Bruce Gimelson.
From The Garrison Collection.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 2227, Variety PCGS# 35098, Base PCGS# 1027, Greysheet# 80864)

Weight: 6.74 grams

Metal: 100% Copper

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