LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 Signature Coin - Charlotte, NC #434  / 

2127

1797 50C --Scratched--ANACS. VF20 Details. O-101a, High

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:26.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1797 50C --Scratched--ANACS. VF20 Details. O-101a, High
<B>1797 50C --Scratched--ANACS. VF20 Details.</B></I> O-101a, High R.4. The 1797 half dollar, along with its 1796-dated cousin, is one of the most important U.S. type coins. This two-year design type displays the draped bust of Liberty on the obverse and a small eagle on the reverse. Its mintage (which was not broken down by 1796 and 1797) was a paltry 3,918 pieces, and it is generally believed that fewer than 300 specimens have survived the ravages of time. Many of them have been mishandled, and exhibit plugs, scratches, rim bruises, graffiti, tooling, scrapes, harsh cleaning, or various other impairments. Yet, even the "problem" coins are in high demand, demonstrating the true rarity of the series.<BR> Al Overton, in his <I>Early Half Dollar Die Varieties,</B></I> recognizes four varieties of the Draped Bust Small Eagle half dollar. The 1796 issue consists of a 15-star obverse (Overton-101) and a 16-star obverse (Overton-102), while the two 1797 varieties (both with 15 obverse stars) are distinguished by a slight variation in the positioning of the reverse wreath relative to the peripheral lettering (Overton-101 and Overton-102). The 1797 O-101 has an advanced die state (O-101a) in which the reverse displays numerous cracks, as well as an obverse crack from the rim through star 2 to Liberty's curl.<BR> The 1797 VF20 Details example for sale in the current lot is O-101a. Light gray toning in the centers yields to darker gray at the margins, where it is joined by sky-blue accents, especially on the obverse. The same sky-blue color is embedded within some of the recesses of the Liberty motif. The dentilation is strong on both sides, and relatively sharp definition is apparent on the remaining design elements, including most of Liberty's hair, and the eagle's tail and internal parts of the wings. Adjustment marks are absent from both sides, but several shallow scratches are visible on the obverse, and somewhat less so on the reverse. Aside from these, this is a fairly nice piece with good color and detail, and as such, is worthy of serious consideration by collectors seeking to complete a type set or half dollar date/variety collection.<BR><I>From The Hoosier Discovery Collection.</B></I><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Coins & Currency (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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