1826 1/2C C-2, BN MS(PCGS#35255)

Spring 2026 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

2056

Grade

AU55BN

Price

1,200

Lot Description

83.8 grains. Manley Die State 1.0. Lovely deep walnut-brown patina with hints of underlying pale gold and pink. There is some softness within the wreath on the reverse, also along the left obverse border, but otherwise this is a sharp Classic Head half cent at the certified Choice AU grade level. Marks are minimal, and some light surface build up engaging a few of the design elements is easily overlooked.<p>This is the readily attributable 6/Lazy 6 variety, the digit 6 in the date first improperly punched into the die on its side, then corrected. With only 210 coins believed extant in all grades (per Bill Eckberg, 2019), the 1826 Cohen-2 is not only the scarcer of the two varieties for the issue, but also the scarcest post-1811 die pairing in the circulation strike half cent series (this assumes agreement with the widely held belief that the 1831 is a Proof-only date). Typically offered in lower grades, Eckberg observes that "UNCs and AUs are extremely rare," confirming the significance of the present opportunity.