Draped Bust Half Dollar

Key Date 1797 Half Dollar

1797 Draped Bust Half Dollar. Small Eagle. O-101a, T-1. Rarity-4+. 15 Stars. VG-10 (PCGS).

Attractively toned in silver and olive-gray patina, with vivid undertones of iridescent reddish-apricot on both sides. The strike is well centered on the planchet, although uneven wear has resulted in nearly smooth borders from 12 to 4 o'clock on the obverse, 4 to 6 o'clock on the reverse. The letters ERICA in AMERICA are faint and difficult to discern, but otherwise we note bold outline detail to all major design elements, as well as some sharper definition to Liberty's hair and the eagle's wing feathers. Overall smooth and quite pleasing for having seen this extensive circulation. There is a shallow scrape at the reverse border after the word OF. Tompkins Die Stage 2/3. The total mintage for the Draped Bust, Small Eagle half dollar type of 1796 to 1797 is just 3,918 coins. The typical five to six percent survival rate of early U.S. Mint silver coins would amount to somewhere around 200 specimens extant in all grades, which supports contemporary population estimates. The vast majority of known 1796 and 1797 half dollars are heavily worn, and many are also significantly impaired due to surface damage, cleaning and other problems. Such is the demand from type collectors, however, that even nearly smooth examples and ones with heavy damage bring tens of thousands of dollars. Here is aa solid mid-grade survivor with richly toned surfaces and above average preservation for the assigned grade. It would make an impressive addition to any advanced collection.

PCGS# 6060. NGC ID: 24EC.

From the E. Horatio Morgan Collection. Earlier ex RARCOA's session of Auction '87, July-August 1987, lot 1106. Custom white plastic holder with printed RARCOA provenance information included.

Estimate: $ 30000