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1797 50C VF30 NGC. O-102, Low R.6. The appearance of a 1797[50C] VF30 NGC.

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:16,000.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1797 50C VF30 NGC. O-102, Low R.6. The appearance of a 1797[50C] VF30 NGC.
<B>1797<50C> VF30 NGC.</B></I> O-102, Low R.6. The appearance of a Draped Bust Small Eagle half dollar in a public auction sale is always a cause for excitement. This two-year design type, bearing the dates 1796 or 1797, is after all, necessary to complete a collection of U.S. type coins. Its miniscule mintage of 3,918 pieces, and its survival rate of between 225 and 300 examples, results in keen competition when a specimen does come up for sale.<BR> Each date consists of two varieties: the 1796 Overton 101 variety displays 15 obverse stars, while the 1796 Overton 102 has 16 stars; the two 1797 varieties - Overton 101 and Overton 102 - (both of which contain 15 stars) are distinguished by the alignment of the reverse wreath relative to the peripheral legend. The 1797 Overton 101 reveals a leaf tip ending at the left serif of the base of the second T in STATES, while the leaf extends entirely beneath the base of the T on the 102 variety. Also, a leaf tip ends mid way between the O and F of OF on the 1797 Overton 101, but extends only to the left serif of the base of the F on the Overton 102. The 1797 Overton 101 reverse die, that was also used on both 1796 varieties, eventually shattered, resulting in the employment of a new reverse (1797 Overton 102).<BR> For a considerable period of time, it was thought that the 1796 16 stars (Overton 102) was the scarcest of the four varieties. The 2004 Bust Half Nut Club rarity rating, however, lowered this variety from R.6 to high R.5, and elevated the 1797 Overton 102 from R.5 to low R.6. These new R values are consistent with independent findings published by this cataloger (Jon Amato) in the February 2005 issue of the <I>John Reich Journal,</B></I> Volume 16, Issue 2, p.14.<BR> The 1797 Overton 102 offered in the current lot displays light silver-gray surfaces that take on whispers of lavender and sky-blue along the borders, especially