1807 1/2C C-1, BN MS(PCGS#35203)

Spring 2026 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

2044

Grade

MS63+BN

Price

10,800

Lot Description

Manley Die State 3.0. One of the few true Mint State survivors of this otherwise readily obtainable Draped Bust half cent variety, and a true condition rarity for this Cohen number. Abundant faded mint color is present on predominantly light golden-brown surfaces. Glints of steel-blue iridescence enliven both sides, the lower right reverse with a crescent of warmer orange-brown patina. Border denticulation is typically incomplete for the die state, but all major design elements are boldly to sharply defined. A swirl of slightly darker color at the left obverse border is associated with a light, ancient carbon spot, this being both the only mentionable blemish and the only obvious impediment to a Choice Mint State grade. Originally and carefully preserved, and a delight to behold.<p>Of the 476,000 half cents delivered during calendar year 1807, 199,000 were from the 1806-dated die pairing now known as Cohen-4 (Large 6, Stems to Wreath). The mintage for the 1807-dated issue, which was delivered from August 4, 1807 through March 31/April 4, 1808, is approximately 356,000 pieces. All were struck from a single die pairing, the reverse of which was previously used for the 1806 C-4 variety. With upward of 4,000 coins extant in all grades, the 1807 C-1 is one of the most plentiful issues and varieties in the Draped Bust half cent series. Yet as Bill Eckberg observes in his 2019 half cent reference: "For such a common variety, true UNCs remain surprisingly elusive, as fewer than 20 are known." All Mint State examples known to Ronald P. Manley are in Die State 3.0, and all that have been certified by PCGS and NGC are in the BN category. The five finest, which constitute the uppermost reaches of Condition Census for the issue, have been certified MS-64 BN or MS-63+ BN by PCGS:<p>1 - <strong>PCGS MS-64 BN.</strong> Ex our (Stack's) American Numismatic Association Sale of August 1971, lot 508; Willard C. Blaisdell; R.E. "Ted" Naftzger, Jr., by sale, via Del Bland, September 1976; William K. Raymond's Fixed Price List of August 1977; R. Tettenhorst, by sale, August 1977; Missouri Cabinet (Eric P. Newman and R. Tettenhorst); Ira and Larry Goldberg's sale of the Missouri Cabinet Collection of U.S. Half Cents, January 2014, lot 87; D. Brent Pogue; our sale of the D. Brent Pogue Collection, Part V, March 2017, lot 5057.<p>2 - <strong>PCGS MS-64 BN. CAC.</strong> Ex Bill Weber (not in the Superior sale of his collection); Red Headed Copper Collection; Heritage's ANA Signature Auction of August 2018, lot 5023; High Desert Collection (PCGS Set Registry).<p>3 - <strong>PCGS MS-64 BN.</strong> Ex our sale of the ESM Collection, March 2020 Auction, lot 3030.<p>4 - <strong>PCGS MS-63+ BN.</strong> Ex Garry Fitzgerald; Mid-American Rare Coin Auctions, Inc.'s San Diego Sale, September 1984, lot 44; Heritage's sale of the James R. McGuigan Half Cent Collection, August 2022 Signature Auction, lot 3078; Widmer Family Collection. <em><strong>The present example</strong></em>, and the primary plate coin for the die pairing in the 1998 reference <em>The Half Cent Die State Book: 1793-1857</em> by Ronald P. Manley, p. 183.<p>5 - <strong>PCGS MS-63+ BN. CAC.</strong> Ex James R. McGuigan, 2013; Bruce Gimelson; Heritage's sale of the Garrison Collection, January 2024 FUN Signature Auction, lot 3058.<p>A leading highlight of the extensive half cent offerings from the Widmer Family Collection, this important condition rarity is eagerly awaiting inclusion in another advanced early copper cabinet.