1805 1/2 C Small 5, Stems XF40 PCGS....

Click the image to load the highest resolution version.

Sold on Sep 17, 2008 for:

$29,900.00 Bid Source: Internet bidder

Get one of these:

Share this lot

Track Item Printable Auction Results

Sell One of These

Description

Auction Info

Guides & Info

Description

Census Level 1805 C-2, B-2 Small 5, Stems Half Cent, XF40

1805 1/2 C Small 5, Stems XF40 PCGS. C-2, B-2, Low R.6. This is an important example of the rarest 1805 half cent. It is also one of the rarest Draped Bust half cent varieties. Only five varieties in the 1800 to 1808 series are considered Rarity-6 or 7, including 1802 C-1 (about 20 known), 1804 C-2 (13 or 14 known), 1805 C-2 (perhaps 27 or 28 known), 1806 C-3 (about 25 known), and 1808 C-1 (seven known).
One other listing, the 1804 C-3, is known by a total of just five or six pieces. However, this die combination is considered by most to be an early die state of 1804 C-5, and not a legitimate variety.
This specimen ranks high in the Condition Census, possibly second finest known but certainly third finest. A single example approaches XF, serves as the Breen plate coin, and remains tucked away in an advanced private collection. Next in line is an example that is almost as sharp, but has been cleaned, according to Breen. That piece is also plated in Breen's Half Cent Encyclopedia, for State I.
The piece that is offered here is nearly as sharp as the second example listed in Breen, but has not been cleaned. Rather, the surfaces are fully original with light tan and olive on the obverse, and mahogany and tan on the reverse. This piece does have a few minor dents on Liberty, and minor hairlines on each side, so it is unclear if it is second or third finest known in the absence of side-by-side comparison of the two coins. Slight doubling is visible on the obverse, along Liberty's neck and chin, the hair ribbons, and the bottoms of LIBERTY, essentially the same as a double profile. EAC 20
From The Nora Bailey Collection.(Registry values: P5)

Coin Index Numbers: (PCGS# 1087, Greysheet# 489)

Weight: 5.44 grams

Metal: 100% Copper

View all of [The Nora Bailey Collection ]

View Certification Details from PCGS