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

Spring 2026 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

2002

Grade

VF20BN

Price

11,400

Lot Description

A generally bold VF example that allows full appreciation of all major design elements. The reverse is rotated approximately 30 degrees clockwise from coin alignment, the impression well centered on both sides, but the strike a bit soft at right obverse and reverse. The latter involves mostly the borders, which show no beading at right, although the liberty cap is also a tad soft and the ends of Liberty's hair strands are also somewhat indistinct. Microgranularity is noted for the reverse, and both sides display some underlying gloss that suggests the dominant steely-copper color is secondary after an old, light cleaning. There are only light, scattered marks that are consistent with the grade, however, and none are singularly distracting or worthy of concern.<p>The 1793 Cohen-2 half cent shares its obverse die with the C-1 variety, its reverse die with the C-3. The C-2 is the second variety produced for the issue with examples struck on July 23, 1793, and delivered on July 26 alongside coins from the C-3 and C-4 pairings. All four die varieties of this issue are of comparable rarity in today's market with Bill Eckberg (2019) providing an estimate of 250 to 325 known in all grades for the C-2. The issue in its entirety is very challenging to collect in grades above EF, astute collectors often focusing on straight-graded VF examples. This coin presents quite nicely during in-hand viewing and will be a fine represent of either the type or Cohen number in many collections.