6158

1796[50C] 15 Stars Fine 12 Details, Repaired, Improperly Cleaned, NCS.

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1796[50C] 15 Stars Fine 12 Details, Repaired, Improperly Cleaned, NCS.
<B>1796<50C> 15 Stars Fine 12 Details, Repaired, Improperly Cleaned, NCS.</B></I> O-101, R.5. The half dollars of 1796-97 are one of the most highly regarded and valuable type coins in all of U.S. numismatics. Mint records indicate that a total of just 3,918 pieces were made for both dates combined. Four varieties are known, a 15 star and a 16 star variety for the 1796 issue, and two 1797 varieties based on slight alignment differences of the reverse wreath. Published estimates on the number of extant specimens for this two-year design type vary from approximately 100 to 300 examples. Our own research has accounted, thus far, for slightly more than 220 examples. These range throughout the grading continuum, but show a relatively high number in the VF category. A number of these survivors have been mishandled, exhibiting plugs, scratches, graffiti, rim damage, harsh cleaning, etc. The current example is toned light to medium gray around the peripheral fields, giving way to a silverish coloration in the centers and on the design elements. Relatively nice detail is apparent on the central devices for the designated "Fine Details" grade. The dentilation is fairly strong on both sides, save for weakness around the upper obverse, and the design elements are well centered on the planchet. Light hairlines are seen on both sides, and some vertical scratches traverse Liberty's portrait. The surfaces have been smoothed, especially in the right fields and on the adjacent central devices of each side. Some tooling also seems to be apparent around the letters MER of AMERICA. Despite the impairments, this is a respectable example for completing a type set of early U.S. coinage. <BR><BR><B>Important notice:</B> Heritage usually auctions material at the rate of 200-250 lots per hour. On some occasions eBay Live bid software or the Internet may not be able to keep up with the pace of the auction. We recommend placing a realistic absentee bid now as insurance to avoid disappointment. Occasionally the auctioneer may eliminate or reject an eBay Live bid, and the auctioneer may also reopen a lot after the close of the eBay live bidding (usually because we missed an audience bid), and may reject your bid even if it shows you as the winning bidder. By bidding via eBay Live, you agree that Heritage may award the lot to another bidder at its sole discretion under the circumstances described above or any other reasonable circumstances. Since eBay bids are not shown to us until we open the lot on the floor, we treat those bids just like floor bids. In most cases the floor responds before the eBay bid is presented to us, due to Internet lag time, so for consistency we have made it a policy that floor bids are always considered first over tie eBay live bids. Also please note that all Heritage lots purchased through eBay Live carry a 20% Buyer's Premium. Please make sure you read the Terms and Conditions before you bid. </span></font></tr></table></td></tr></table>