1796 50C 16 Stars MS(PCGS#6058)

Spring 2025 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

3050

Grade

VG8

Price

31,200

Lot Description

Amato 252. Half dollar rarities from Stack's Bowers Galleries continue to amaze as we offer a 16 Stars 1796 Small Eagle. This piece exhibits pretty, vivid undertones of powder blue and pinkish-rose iridescence to dominant sandy-gray and olive-charcoal patina. Detail is solid for the grade, the obverse with all major design elements fully outlined, the denticulated border complete save for at top, and a few of Liberty's hair strands distinct. The reverse is likewise well defined in most areas, although we do note softness at right that is particularly noticeable at the eagle's left wing and within the adjacent portion of the wreath. Marks are generally minor, well concealed by the toning, and none are out of context for the assigned grade. Tompkins Die Stage 1/1.<p>Although composed of coins dated 1796 and 1797, the Draped Bust, Small Eagle half dollar series was issued for just one year. Only 3,918 examples were delivered in four warrants from February 28 to May 26, 1797. Today, probably no more than 300 half dollars of this challenging design type can be accounted for, signifying a survival rate of less than 10%. Subsequent to 1797 no half dollars were minted until 1801, at which time the Heraldic Eagle design was adopted for the reverse. The 1796 O-102 16 Stars variety is the scarcest in this series with most survivors well worn, as here. Of course, the brevity and scarcity of this design type assures that all examples of this die marriage are eagerly sought by type collectors as well as early half dollar specialists.