May 26-27, 2003, The Dr. Jacob Terner Collection, Sale 20

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U. S. Coins

Half Cents

 

Beautifully Struck 1797 Half Cent

Lot 1014 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1797. C-2. Plain edge. PCGS graded AU-53. Dark, chocolate brown color. Nice surfaces, free of defects except for a natural void between the I and C of AMERICA on the reverse. For this example, the dies must have come together perfectly parallel with ample pressure to bring up all of the details (it's hard to find any Liberty Cap Half Cent without some kind of weakness). Also, this is one of the most attractive 1797 varieties because of the near-perfect centering of Liberty's head and the extra-long denticles that make up the outer border of the obverse. PCGS reports 3 in this grade, with only 7 finer.
Estimated Value $5,500-6,500.

 

Outstanding 1803 C-3 Half Cent

Lot 1015 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1803. C-3. PCGS graded MS-61 Brown. PCGS reports 2 at this level, with 4 higher (the finest being MS-64 Brown). Struck on a gorgeous, defect-free planchet. Softly struck on the high points of the drapery and the upper part of the wreath (coincidentally, the opposite side of the coin). Nice and glossy, with a shimmering steel-brown color broken by an occasional fleck of red. Far superior to most examples seen of the date and the variety. Intermediate die state, showing only traces of the die break on the left side of the obverse. The reverse features what Roger Cohen called "Cross-eyed Zeroes."
Estimated Value $5,000-6,000.

 

Lot 1016 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1804. C-10. Crosslet 4, stems. PCGS graded MS-62 Brown. Beautiful, olive brown surfaces. Three small spots on the obverse, one red and the other orange, serve to identify this as the plate coin from Roger Cohen's 1971 edition. PCGS has graded only 5 examples in this grade, with only 5 finer. A wonderful coin for the specialist.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,200.

 

Tied for Finest Graded in Brown

Lot 1017 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1804. C-12. Crosslet 4, Stemless. PCGS graded MS-64 Brown. Well struck, with near flawless surfaces. A band of darker color arcs across the bottom of the obverse. The reverse is simply breathtaking -- it's so nice and original. PCGS reports 2 examples at the MS-64 Brown level, with none higher in that color (the only finer example is a PCGS graded MS-64 Red and Brown).
Estimated Value $5,500-6,500.

 

Lot 1018 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1804. C-8. "Spiked chin". PCGS graded MS-62 Brown. Clay red and brown colors on both sides, with hints of olive added to the reverse. Breen's State VII, with the rim cud covering LIBE but not the R. PCGS reports 2 in this grade, with 10 higher.
Estimated Value $2,800-3,200.

 

Lot 1019 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1804. C-8. "Spiked chin". PCGS graded AU-58. Glossy brown, with defect-free surfaces. The reverse has tempting traces of faded mint red in the protected areas. The cause of the Spiked Chin is as yet unknown. However, we do know that the die started out in perfect condition, then developed a spike that protrudes from Liberty's chin and a series of wavy lines in front of her bust. One interesting theory is that a screw of some sort was impressed into the die at some time during the coining process. Whatever the cause, the Spiked Chin is one of the most famous and popular of all U.S. die varieties.
Estimated Value $1,800-2,200.

 

Lot 1020 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1806. Small 6, stemless. EF-45. Medium brown with some darker areas on the obverse.
Estimated Value $125-150.

 

Lot 1021 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1809, 9 over 6. Cohen 5. MS-60 Brown. As usual, the left side stars are not fully defined, yet all the curls on Liberty are sharp and distinct. Medium chocolate brown in color with slight roughness on the reverse around CEN.
Estimated Value $550-650.

 

Lot 1022 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1833. Cohen 1. NGC graded MS-64 Red & Brown Premium Quality. Far more glowing mint red than brown, in fact, with enough proof-like surface qualities as to be suggestive of a proof. Highly appealing and well struck as well. Color photo.
Estimated Value $800-1,200.

 

Tied for Finest Known at PCGS

Lot 1023 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1852. Restrike. Small berries. PCGS graded Proof 65 Brown. The so-called "First Restrike," featuring a doubled T in CENT and doubled wreath bow. Beautiful, olive and gold toning and glittering Proof surfaces. PCGS reports 6 in this grade, with none higher. Tied for Finest Known at PCGS. This Restrike shares a reverse with all of the 1840-1849 First Restrikes and the 1856 and 1857 Proofs, indicating that it was made sometime after 1856-1857 to satisfy collector demand. This coincides with the Mint's first offering of Proof coins to the public in 1859. One can envision excited collectors applying to the Mint for Proof examples of earlier years. While there is no evidence to substantiate this vision, clearly the Mint had a new motive (profit) to restrike these pieces. Color photo.
Estimated Value $5,000-5,500.


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