1797 1/2C C-2 PE Centered Head, BN MS(PCGS#35104)

The February 2008 Baltimore Auction

拍卖行

Bowers & Merena

批号

55

等级

AU55

价格

147,245

详细说明

1797 B-2a, C-2. Rarity-4. Plain Edge. Centered Head. AU-55 (PCGS). A scarce die marriage, survivors of the 1797 C-2 Half Cent vary considerably in quality. The Mint used different planchet stock to produce this issue. Many pieces were struck on rough, pined planchets while others are overall smooth and quite lovely. Of course, the typically encountered example is heavily circulated with a generous number of abrasions and other distractions, so the planchet stock plays a smaller part in determining the coin’s final eye appeal rating. High-grade examples are elusive, and Walter Breen’s 1983 Condition Census includes a 50-50 mix of Uncirculated and About Uncirculated examples. A very appealing representative, this piece was obviously removed from circulation after a short period of time. As such, the devices have acquired little wear, and all design elements are quite bold. The only limitation in this regard is a little bit of softness to the strike over isolated portions of the reverse wreath, although we stress that that feature is anything but distracting. The reverse periphery is also softly impressed in several areas, but the denticles around the obverse border arc sharp throughout despite the fact that the impression is drawn toward the viewers left. The planchet quality is among the finest that we have seen in an example of this die marriage, and there is no pitting, cracking or porosity to report. Steel-brown and copper-brown patina arc well blended over both sides, the surfaces of which are free of spotting, corrosion and other significant impairments. A few light, wispy grazes on the obverse and through the center of the reverse are noted, but these features seem to have been with the coin for many, many years. Regardless, they are not out of context for an early Half Cent that saw light commercial use.