1797 1 Above 1, Plain Edge, B-1c, C-1, R.2, MS60 Brown PCGS. Our EAC Grade AU55....

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Description

1797 B-1c, C-1 Half Cent, MS60 Brown
Late Die State 1 Above 1

1797 1 Above 1, Plain Edge, B-1c, C-1, R.2, MS60 Brown PCGS. Our EAC Grade AU55. Please refer to lot 3044 for equivalents, rarity, die, and edge descriptions.

Surfaces. Both sides have exceptional medium chocolate surfaces with faint olive overtones. Frosty luster is evident in the form of a light cartwheel appearance. The surfaces have numerous tiny planchet marks in the weakly struck areas, a result of its extremely late die state. There also appears to be traces of undertype, probably from a cut-down TAL cent.

Die State. Manley Die State 5.0. This example is later than any die state described by either Breen or Manley. The obverse has two heavy bulges at the top of the cap and right, with gentle bulges in the left and right obverse fields. The bulges cause severe reverse weakness at ED ST and ICA, with the surfaces in those areas showing myriad tiny planchet marks. Faint traces of undertype are evident between UNITED and the border.

Numerous obverse die cracks are evident: 1. From the tip of the pole to the border. 2. From the rim through the right side of the B to the hair, continuing to the lowest hair curls. 3. A branch of crack 2 horizontally to the temple and field in front of Liberty's forehead. 4. A heavy crack from the nose tip to the border at 4 o'clock. 5. A branch of crack 4 down to the left to the throat and across the lower part of the bust. 6. A heavy crack from crack 3 down across the cheek and field to join crack 5. 7. A crack through Y to the forehead. 8. A crack from the border at 2 o'clock toward Liberty's eye. 9. A short horizontal crack joins cracks 4 and 5. 10. A crack between the lowest two locks into the field as described by Manley is actually a continuation of crack 2. 11. Unlisted by either Breen or Manley is a prominent branch of crack 2 to the left and the Liberty cap. This last crack is visible in Manley's State 5.0 plate but undescribed.

Appearances. Illustrated in the May 2009 Heritage catalog featuring the Collection of a Dallas Gentleman.

PCGS Population (6/2022). PCGS has certified eight Mint State examples of the 1797 1 Above 1 variety, including this coin and seven finer coins. Five of the eight coins are attributed as B-1, C-1. The McGuigan Collection also includes an attributed piece that PCGS grades MS63 Brown.
Commentary. The obvious feature of this variety is the prominent stray 1 between the date and the bust, while remnants of other digits are also visible above the final date position.

McGuigan Commentary. Attractive glossy dark brown planchet. Late die state (M4.0), having been struck from a shattered obverse die with numerous die cracks and chips and areas of die sinking. This massive die failure resulted in parts of the lettering being weakly struck, namely, "Y" of LIBERTY on the obverse and "ITED STAT" of UNITED STATES and "CA" of AMERICA on the reverse. Faint traces of possible undertype (cut-down T.A.L. token or spoiled cent) are visible on the reverse between UNITED and the rim.

Provenance. Ex: The Collection of a Dallas Gentleman (Heritage, 5/2009), lot 32.

Personality. The Collection of a Dallas Gentleman was offered in the Heritage May 2009 Central States Signature auction. The Dallas gentleman, who requested anonymity, was born in Pennsylvania in 1928 and is recently deceased. He was a businessman and philanthropist. In addition to his coin collection, he collected presidential memorabilia.
From The James R. McGuigan Half Cent Collection.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 2228, Variety PCGS# 35101, Base PCGS# 1042, Greysheet# 80865)

Weight: 6.74 grams

Metal: 100% Copper

More Information:

Special Terms for the McGuigan Collection:
12 equal monthly payments with 3% APR interest starting at Day 46. Invoice released when invoice is paid in full.
or
6 equal monthly payments with interest at 6% APR starting at Day 46. Invoice released within certain limits. Please contact the Heritage Credit Department at CreditDept@HA.com prior to the auction.