1806 1/2C C-2, BN MS(PCGS#35194)

1806 1/2C C-2, BN MS (PCGS#35194)

Spring 2026 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Lot Description: Manley Die State 3.0. This is a rare die state for an already scarce variety, identifiable by a crack from the lower obverse border, through the base of the digit 6 in the date and the end of Liberty's bust, then lightly extending back to the border at lower right. Gently marbled olive-copper and orange-brown patina is seen on both sides of this universally bold EF example. A hint of bright underlying pinkish-gold color is noted for accuracy, but will require persistence to discern. Also easily overlooked during in-hand viewing are the few wispy marks scattered about on both sides.<p>While official records report a mintage of 356,000 half cents for calendar year 1806, the Cohen-4 Large 6, Stems to Wreath variety is believed to have been produced during calendar year 1807, thereby explaining Bill Eckberg's (2019) estimate of 555,000 coins struck from 1806-dated dies. Cohen-2 is the more readily obtainable of the two die marriages of the 1806 Small 6, Stems to Wreath <em>Guide Book</em> variety, but examples are still scarce in an absolute sense. In fact, C-2 is the second rarest die marriage of the 1806-dated issue as a whole, survivors numbering fewer than 175 coins. Only a handful of these grade finer than EF, confirming the Widmer Family specimen as one of the finest realistically obtainable for most collectors.