1793 1/2C, BN MS(PCGS#1000)

1793 1/2C, BN MS (PCGS#1000)

November 2025 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Lot Description: Manley Die State 2.0. A handsome piece with marbled autumn-brown and olive-copper obverse toning, the reverse with a few blushes of steely-olive to dominant golden-brown. Centering is good, and while the denomination at central reverse is typically weak for a moderately circulated example of this die state, overall detail is bold to allow full appreciation of most design elements. There are a few faint spots in the upper left obverse field, reverse with a light scratch in the center and some ancient surface build up within the wreath, although in hand viewing reveals a smooth-looking early U.S. Mint copper in certified VF.<p>In his modern (2019) reference <em>The Half Cent, 1793-1857: The Story of America's Greatest Little Coin</em>, William R. Eckberg accounts for 250 to 300 survivors from the 1793 Cohen-1 dies. This estimate squares nicely with Manley's older (1998) ranking of Rarity-3+, confirming that it has stood the test of time. A very historic die pairing, C-1 is the first half cent produced, the coins struck July 19, 1793, and delivered by the coiner the following day. With the extant population thinning drastically as one progresses up the numismatic grading scale, our offering of this visually appealing and solid PCGS VF-25 will certainly catch the eye of astute bidders.