1788 VT 1/2P ET LIB INDE, BN MS(PCGS#569)

Spring 2026 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

1589

Grade

VF30BN

Price

2,040

Lot Description

A sharp and attractive example of this notable variety, the only use of the ET LIB INDE reverse other than the very rare Ryder-35. As usual, overstruck on a counterfeit Irish halfpenny, with abundant evidence of the host visible around the obverse periphery, somewhat less so on the reverse. Both sides are pleasant medium olive-brown with intermingled tan-brown, finely granular under a glass but with better surface quality than many of these. The sharpness is well above average for the variety, with little enough wear that most devices are far crisper than usual. Despite the usual vertical crack on the obverse, the portrait is well outlined and the profile is discernible. Both sides are well centered and show full legends, and the date is complete with all four digits clear, if a tad soft. Magnified scrutiny shows no significant blemishes apart from the aforementioned granularity. This is a very nice coin, one that ranks high among the specimens of this variety we've handled over the last 25 years.