1794 1/2C, BN MS(PCGS#1003)

November 2025 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

2006

Grade

AU50BN

Price

8,700

Lot Description

Manley Die State 2.0. This warmly patinated example delivers uncommonly sharp definition in a survivor of this early date half cent issue. Most design elements are full, in fact, wear expectably light for the assigned grade and confined to the highest points of the design. The obverse is hard and frosty with faint traces of semi-reflectivity to minimally marked, predominantly smooth surfaces. The reverse is more reserved and also a bit rough overall due to a combination of light pitting and numerous tiny marks that are only discernible under magnification. Both sides are handsomely toned in a soft blend of autumn-brown, golden-olive and pale rose. Ideally centered with full border denticulation framing the design motifs.<p>The accepted mintage for this issue is 81,600 coins, achieved in five deliveries during early to mid 1794:<p>-February 22: 10,000 coins<p>-June 4: 16,000 coins<p>-June 26: 16,000 coins<p>-June 27: 16,000 coins<p>-July 8: 23,600 coins<p>After determining the die emission sequence, and also considering the number of coins extant, William R. Eckberg and Ronald P. Manley were able to ascertain exactly which die pairings were included in each of the deliveries for this issue. As published in Eckberg's 2019 reference <em>The Half Cent, 1793-1857: The Story of America's Greatest Little Coin</em>, C-7, C-8 and C-9 together comprise the 23,600 coins delivered on July 8. With approximate 750 survivors in all grades, Cohen-9 is an excellent candidate to represent the High-Relief Head <em>Guide Book</em> variety of the 1794 half cent in a type set. It is not, however, the most common variety of the 1794 half cent as once thought, for that honor now goes to the C-4 Normal Head. The two dozen or so high grade examples of the 1794 C-9 in numismatic hands are split fairly evenly between About Uncirculated and Mint State grades. With its certified grade of AU-50 the offered coin is included in this group and will have no difficulty finding its way into another advanced collection.