LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2008 February Long Beach Signature Coin #460  / 

526

1795 50C 2 Leaves MS64 NGC

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:95,000.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1795 50C 2 Leaves MS64 NGC
<B>1795 50C 2 Leaves MS64 NGC.</B></I> O-113a, R.3. E over A in STATES. The obverse die is immediately recognized by the heavy die chip between the 5 and final star, and the blundered reverse die is quickly recognized by the engraving error with the A in STATES punched over the E. Who knows what the engraver may have been thinking when he produced this die. Perhaps he thought he was already up to the second T in STATES, and grabbed the E punch by mistake. Most likely, it was a simple mistake that he punched an E instead of an A. Remember that the engraver had to work in reverse, on an extremely small surface, with hand tools rather than the various hubs that are used today. Most likely he punched the final S at the top of the die first, then added he adjacent letter, one at a time, until he had completed the legend.<BR> The obverse is cracked through the tops of LIBERTY. Actually, there are three different die cracks: (1) through the tops of LIB, (2) through the tops of ER, and (3), through the tops of TY. Cracks 2 and 3 join between R and T. A heavy die chip is positioned between the 5 and star 15, below the bust tip, with additional cracks or die flaws through the last four stars on the right. Light clash marks are evident in the obverse fields. The reverse has light die rust and faint clash marks, but no evidence of die cracks.<BR> This is the Eliasberg specimen, considered the finest known 1795 O-113 half dollar, of either the early or late die state. Only two or three Mint State examples of the variety are known. Faint champagne toning over brilliant and frosty silver surfaces. Peripheral obverse and reverse rim disturbances are from the edge lettering process and are strictly as made. Considerable central obverse and reverse weakness is evident, with stronger peripheral details. In the Eliasberg catalog, this writer wrote: "Brilliant and highly lustrous with just a whisper of delicate golden toning. An extremely pleasing coin from a visual aspect. This coin could not have appeared much different during the era in which it was struck!" Today, more than a decade after the Eliasberg catalog was written, the coin remains virtually unchanged, and still looks little different from its appearance over 200 years ago.<BR><I>From The Southwest Collection.</B></I><BR><BR><B>Coin Engraver:</B> Robert Scot<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Coins & Currency (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
Sign In to Bookmark Lot