1796 50C 16 Stars MS(PCGS#6058)

The November 2012 Baltimore Auction

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

3138

Grade

F12

Price

70,500

Lot Description

Classic 1796 16 Stars Half Dollar Rarity 1796 Draped Bust Half Dollar. Small Eagle. O-102. Rarity-6. 16 Stars. Fine-12 (PCGS). The 1796 half dollar with 16 stars is one of the rarest and most desirable type coins as the Draped Bust, Small Eagle design was issued for just two years. Today perhaps no more than 250 to 300 exist in all grades of all varieties and both dates combined. There are four different die pairings with the 1796 O-102 variety a formidable rarity, with fewer than 50 known in all grades. The color is classic medium gray in the fields with lighter silver on the worn devices. No adjustment marks or rim bumps are present, and the surfaces are outstanding for the grade. This is a later die state than usually encountered with the cracks from the rim to the first four stars well advanced. 1796 brought a flurry of activity to the Philadelphia Mint as coinage of all denominations then authorized were produced, a situation that would not be repeated for generations, leaving 1796 as one of the most challenging years for collectors. Many of the die pairings or dates are scarce or rare, as the workers at the Philadelphia Mint were still figuring out how to extend die life as well as keep up with the numerous design changes demanded. Certainly the coins of 1796 reflect uncommon quality overall in their strikes and execution. The dies for these early 1796 half dollars were well designed and thought out, with the stars balanced around the devices and lettering and the reverse orientation rotated only ten or twenty degrees clockwise. All 1796 half dollars are rare today, especially so when found with clean surfaces and high visual appeal.Numismatic Reflections by Q. David Bowers Not much needs to be said about this 1796 half dollar not covered in the description above. I will add that regardless of grade, whenever a 1796 or 1797 half dollar is offered there is a lot of spirited bidding competition. PCGS# 6058.