1802/0 1/2C Reverse of 1802, BN MS(PCGS#1057)

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

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

25013

Grade

VF20BN

Price

7,200

Lot Description

Manley Die State 4.0. Any 1802/0 half cent is a prized rarity. High grade examples are few and far between, the finest are an AU Details coin certified by PCGS and an EF-45 graded by PCGS. The majority of known survivors are not just low grade, but also have serious surface issues. This PCGS-graded VF-20 is a pleasant exception, a visually pleasing coin with no sizeable blemishes and the remaining detail universally bold for the major design elements. Deep copper-rose color on the obverse contrasts somewhat with even bolder charcoal-olive reverse color. A dull mark on the latter side bisects the letter E in CENT, but otherwise it is only upon close inspection with a loupe that will one discern a few other, more minor marks and fine granularity to the texture that is more extensive on the reverse. The planchet stock for the 1802 half cents (and all of these are 1802/0 overdates) was, in today's parlance, recycled "spoiled cents and the clippings therefrom" (as put by Bill Eckberg, 2019), although there is no trace of the undertype on the present example. A famed rarity in the series, this is an important opportunity for the advanced collector of early American coppers.