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1793 1/2 C Straight Cap MS61 Brown NGC. B-...

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:16,000.00 - 27,000.00 USD
1793 1/2 C Straight Cap MS61 Brown NGC. B-...
1793 1/2 C Straight Cap MS61 Brown NGC. B-3, C-3, R.3. The 1793 Liberty Cap has obvious significance as the first Half Cent produced by the Mint, and is also a highly coveted one-year type. In the informative Encyclopedia of United States Half Cents: 1793-1857 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 Dupre'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 pumpkin-orange that is primarily seen in the peripheral areas of the reverse. The highpoints 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. In researching the presently offered Uncirculated rarity, we note that in Breen's Condition Census roster the Clarke/Bareford specimen was listed as Uncirculated and "Identifiable by a tiny nick on the reverse rim over F of OF." While we cannot conclusively say that the coin offered here is indeed the Bareford piece, there is a small contact mark in the exact location as described by Breen. Either way, the Condition Census status of this high quality 1793 Half Cent is secure, making it a landmark offering for the quality conscious collector. Important notice: We expect to be auctioning lots at the rate of 200-250 per hour. Sometimes eBay Premier live bid software cannot keep up with that pace, so we strongly recommend that you place a realistic proxy bid now as insurance to avoid disappointment. Also please note that all Heritage/CAA lots purchased through eBay Premier carry a 20% Buyer's Premium.