LOT Heritage Rare Coin Galleries  /  2007 Jan (FUN) Heritage Signature Coin #422  / 

841

1796 H10C LIKERTY MS65 NGC. V-1, LM-1, R.3. The 1 in t

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:170,000.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 2.00 USD
1796 H10C LIKERTY MS65 NGC. V-1, LM-1, R.3. The 1 in t
<B>1796 H10C LIKERTY MS65 NGC.</B></I> V-1, LM-1, R.3. The 1 in the date joins a curl, and its upright is over a dentil. The 7 is a bit closer to the dentils than to the bust. The 9 is equidistant between the bust and dentils. The date is spaced 1 7 96, with the 96 closer than the space between the other digits (but not single-spaced as typed here). Star 1 touches a hair curl, and the next curl is nearly between two points of star 2. LI are quite close, and of course the B is broken at top and bottom. IBE are distant. On the reverse there is an outer berry below the upright of D. The first leaf extends almost to the right upright of N. There are inner and outer berries under the first S in STATES. ER nearly touch at their bases. A light crack from the rim to the first T in STATES runs downward to the eagle's neck, while the portion between T and A is quite heavy. A small crack joins the U and N in UNITED. Both sides show extensive die clash marks, from multiple clashes of the die, and on the reverse small die cracks have formed along some of those clash marks, making it difficult in some cases to distinguish between them.<BR> Both obverses of this year show 15 stars on the obverse--eight behind Liberty's head and seven in front. This would indicate that the dies were produced (or at least finished) before Tennessee joined the Union. However, the dimes of 1797 occur in three different star arrangements: 13 stars, 15 stars, and 16 stars. Breen's <I>Complete Encyclopedia</B></I> explains the order of subtypes is logically--and chronologically--15 stars, 16 stars, then 13 stars, "despite generations of contrary cataloging. ... the 15 stars were left over from fall 1795, with final digit omitted, as was then common practice. The 16-star die, like its counterparts in all other silver and gold denominations, was made in 1796 alluding to Tennessee's admission to the Union as the sixteenth state (June 1) ... . And the permanent shift to 13 stars followed Mint Director Elias Boudinot's realizing that the Mint could not go on indefinitely adding new stars as new states entered the Union.<BR> "Date punches on the 15-star die (like those on the 1796's) are those used on the last vars. of 1795. ..." The two obverse dies are the 1796/5 overdate (V-2, LM-2) and the present nonoverdate variety. The LIKERTY variant, although it has long been collected separately as the "third issue of the year" and is a popular <I>Guide Book</B></I> variety, is a late die state of the LM-1, which already shows the broken B in LIBERTY. In the later die states, the top and bottom of the letter gradually weaken and finally vanish. On the present example, only threadlike remnants of the top and base are seen. The Logan-McCloskey <I>Federal Half Dimes 1792-1837</B></I> (1998) calls the LM-1 "a scarce die marriage that is usually seen well worn." A search through our permanent auction archives confirms that <I>this delectable Gem coin is the finest by two grade points that Heritage has ever had the privilege to offer.</B></I> Both sides show a light golden patina, with much luster emanating from each side and the no-nonsense eye appeal that instantly confirms the Gem assessment. Although many pieces of this type show a soft strike through the centers, the strike through the centers of this example is nothing short of phenomenal, and it is definitely one of the strong suits of this coin. This piece is certainly near the top of the Condition Census of certified pieces, as one of four Gems certified at NGC and PCGS combined, with only three pieces finer, two at NGC and one at PCGS (11/06).<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Coin/Currency (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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