1796 1/2C With Pole, BN MS(PCGS#1027)

February 2026 Showcase Auction - The James A. Stack, Sr. Collection Part II

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

25009

Grade

VF25BN

Price

33,600

Lot Description

Important is the numismatic cabinet that includes even a single problem free and attractive mid grade example of the key date 1796 half cent. How significant, therefore, is the Dean Oakes Family Collection since it is releasing two PCGS-certified VFs for the Cohen-2 With Pole variety? This is a lovely piece, nearly Choice at the Very Fine grade level, with warm, even color in copper-brown. There is little denticulation at upper and right borders, but it is sufficiently full in other areas, and both sides also sports bold detail to the major design elements with just a touch of the usual softness at central reverse. The texture is hard and tight, free of roughness and porosity, with only a single tiny dig in the upper left obverse field, behind the cap, readily evident during in-hand viewing. Accuracy does compel us to mention several wispy pin scratches that come into view under close scrutiny with a loupe, and which find greatest concentration at central obverse. The eye appeal is strong, nonetheless, and especially for a moderately circulated 1796 half cent. A shallow planchet clip at 1 o'clock relative to the reverse is as made.<p>Planchet stock for this variety was derived largely from rolled sheet copper, and at least two of the survivors have sizeable Mint-made planchet clips. Whether the C-1 or C-2 was struck first remains a matter of debate, although we believe that the No Pole (C-1) with its cracked obverse die was produced first and used as a stopgap measure, until the well made obverse of the C-2 pairing was ready for coinage. Opinions differ, however, with Bill Eckberg, for one, asserting that the C-2 coins were produced in April and June, 1796, with the C-1 coins following in October of that year.