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

955

From The Twin Hollows Collection.

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:22,000.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 2.00 USD
From The Twin Hollows Collection.
<B>1797 50C --Scratched--NCS. Fine Details.</B></I> O-102, Low R.6. Draped Bust Small Eagle half dollars, bearing the dates 1796 or 1797, are a highly desirable item. These coins have for the most part held their value since the inception of coin collecting in the United States in the 1850s. Whether or not a particular specimen is impaired appears to make little difference in the demand side of the equation. The realization that this series exhibits a low mintage (3,918 pieces) along with a low survival rate (probably less than 300 examples) prompts knowledgeable collectors to keenly compete for those examples that appear at public auction, "warts and all." In this respect, it is worth mentioning that, in a February 2005 study by this cataloger (Jon Amato) that was published in the <I>John Reich Journal,</B></I> Volume 16/Issue 2, fully 43 examples of the 216 pieces "captured" in the study analysis (nearly 20 %) revealed "major" problems (plugs, re-engraved designs, smoothed fields, removed graffiti/initials, deep and/or long scratches, porosity, etc.). Several other specimens exhibited "minor" problems (many of which were certified by 3rd party grading services). These included shallow scratches, light rim dings, light cleaning, wispy hairlines, etc.<BR> The coin presented in this lot does <I>not</B></I> fall within the category of "major" problems. The NCS holder says "scratched." True, there are a few unobtrusive short pinscratches on the lower part of the bust, but overall, this is a pleasingly toned specimen that shows two shades of natural gray (the design elements are highlighted by the slightly darker fields). Both sides are quite clean, and reveal no mentionable contact marks or adjustment marks. Some light streaks are noted in the obverse fields; we cannot be sure if these are toning streaks, or perhaps light erasure marks. Whatever the case, they are not distracting to the eye. I asked the other Heritage catalogers to inspect this coin, and to a person, all agreed that this was a lovely 1797 half dollar that should be in a "non-problem" holder.<BR> It is also important to mention that this 1797 half is the rarest of the four varieties (Overton-102). The Bust Half Nut Club elevated the O-102 from R.5 to low R.6 in its 2004 rarity ratings. The new owner of this desirable piece of Americana will not regret her/his engagement in spirited bidding to acquire this marvelous rarity.<BR><I>From The Lanterman's Mill Collection.</B></I><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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