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Sale 60
Pre-Long Beach Coin Auction
| The Davy Collection of Half Cent Errors |
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| Lot |
Photo |
Description |
Realized |
Lot 51 |
 |
1795 C-6a R2 Plain Edge without Pole on Thin Planchet F12. Struck on a 1794 Talbot Allum & Lee Cent with Edge Letters Showing. Sharpness EF40 but covered with fine to moderate granularity. The only marks are an irregular planchet fissure on the neck with another in the field before the neck, both as struck. No verdigris or contact marks. Sharply struck with crisp details, and assigning a net grade presents a challenge. Olive and bluish steel with lighter steel brown toning in protected areas on the reverse. Struck on a cut-down 1794 Talbot Allum & Lee Cent with NEW YORK. Undertype from the TAL Cent is visible on both sides. The oval-shaped planchet was cut too close to the edge of the larger TAL Cent and "BLE AT" is visible on the edge (from the TAL edge lettering PAYABLE AT THE STORE OF found only on the 1794 version). In addition, "ORK" from NEW YORK is faintly visible at ED S. Weight 80.2 grains. Davy #95.6a.34.
Estimated Value $600-UP.
Ex Bowers & Merena 9/14/92:14.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$604 |
Lot 52 |
 |
1795 C-6a R2 Plain Edge without Pole on Thin Planchet G6. Struck on a 1794 Talbot Allum & Lee Cent with Two Indents. Slightly sharper with extremely fine roughness under a glossy olive brown and chocolate patina. No verdigris, and the only marks are a very tiny rim bruise at Y in LIBERTY and another at TE in UNITED. Struck on a 1794 Talbot Allum & Lee Cent that has "RE" on the edge from "STORE" (PAYABLE AT THE STORE OF) on the edge of the host TAL planchet. In addition there are two indents. The one before the portrait is large and displays strong design details of undetermined origin. This large indent and the smaller one at the top of the reverse both contain dentil indents (brockage impressions of dentils). Some have suggested these were created when the TAL planchets accidentally overlapped as they passed through rollers used to reduce their thickness before punching out the half cent planchets. However, Breen speculated that the planchets were not rolled before cutting out the smaller planchets (his encyclopedia, page 468). Other experts, including Eric Newman, subscribe to the overlapping planchet theory. I agree. The thickness of the half cent planchets is certainly less than the thickness of a normal TAL Cent, so the roller idea makes sense. Perhaps some were rolled and some were not. The design in the indent, strong as it is, doesn't offer an easy answer. Regardless, this is a very interesting and mentally challenging half cent. Weight 80.4 grains. Davy #95.6a.27.
Estimated Value $300-UP.
Ex Steven Cunningham 2/15/89.
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| Realized
$661 |
Lot 53 |
 |
1795 C-6a R2 Plain Edge without Pole on Thin Planchet G5. Struck on a 1794 Talbot Allum & Lee Cent with a Single Indent. A couple points sharper but covered with uniform very fine granularity. No verdigris or marks. Dark steel brown and chocolate. The date and legends are complete and readable but not strong. Struck on an out-of-round planchet cut from a 1794 TAL Cent that left "PAYA" on the edge off the bust tip (from PAYABLE AT THE STORE OF). In addition, there is a clear, strong indent at the top of the cap, and obvious but unidentified design details are visible in the indented area. This indent is very similar to the indents on the previous lot. Having two similar examples may help explain how this happened, and my money is on overlapping planchets being squeezed by rollers (sorry Walter). Weight 73.8 grains. Davy #95.6a.33.
Estimated Value $300-UP.
Ex Coin Galleries 4/15/92:2258.
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| Realized
$437 |
Lot 54 |
 |
1795 C-6a/b R6 Plain Edge without Pole on Spoiled 1794 S-26 Large Cent G6. Struck on a 1794 Sheldon-26 Large Cent. Rather glossy medium brown with a small splash of darker reddish chocolate brown on the shoulder. No notable defects other than microscopic ticks and planchet chips scattered over both sides. Many of the details are consistent with a higher grade, but the strike is weak at the date and STATES due to the uneven nature of the host planchet. The date is weak but readable with some effort and STATES can be made out if you employ a bit of imagination on a couple letters. The remainder of the legends and devices are clear. Struck on a cut-down 1794 S-26 large cent with ONE and some of the wreath visible on the left side of the obverse. While convention says pieces struck on spoiled large cent planchets should weigh more (at least 100 grains) and are classified as the C-6b variant, this piece weighs only 83.4 grains (versus the 84.0 grain standard for the thin planchet half cents). The thickness is consistent with a normal thin half cent planchet, so it would be safe to assume the large cent was rolled down prior to cutting out the half cent planchet. (Breen says in his encyclopedia that normally this was not done. He says the rollers would have been saved for more important work, but he allowed some wiggle room for spoiled cents to be rolled on occasion.) This piece is mentioned in the Manley book, pages 62 & 63. It is the only known example confirmed to have been struck on a cut-down 1794 large cent. Weight 83.4 grains. Davy #95.6b.5.
Estimated Value $500-UP.
Ex 1997 EAC Sale, 4/19/97:55.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$5,750 |
Lot 55 |
 |
1795 C-6a R2 Plain Edge without Pole on a 1794 Overton-105 Half Dollar Die Trial in Copper VG10. Struck on a Cut-Down 1794 Half Dollar Die Trial in Copper, Overton-105, Judd-17. Five points sharper with a dozen small rim nicks, mostly on the obverse, and some microscopic pinpricks scattered over the obverse. No other defects, and the surfaces are smooth. The reverse is choice. Nice glossy medium chocolate brown offering excellent eye appeal. EDS, Manley state 1.0, prior to any hint of swelling near the dentils right of the Y in LIBERTY. Struck on a planchet cut from a copper die trial of the 1794 Overton-105 (Judd-17) half dollar. The reverse of the undertype cut-down 1794 half dollar trial strike shows on the obverse of the half cent, nearly upset relative to the half cent design. There is enough undertype remaining to be certain of the half dollar attribution. The eagle's head is clearly visible at the 17 of the half cent date, and it faces his left wing, which is even stronger. Stronger evidence of the half dollar wreath shows off the bust tip. On the reverse of the half cent, the LI of LIBERTY is visible at CA in AMERICA. One of only six half cents (all of this variety) known to have been struck over copper trial strikes of 1794 and 1795 half dollars (the Mint didn't want to waste any planchet material). An extremely important piece of our early mint history that proves we made copper trial strikes of larger silver coins of different die varieties in 1794 and 1795, and more significantly that we recycled that copper into circulating half cents dated 1795. Weight 82.1 grains. Davy #95.6a.54.
Estimated Value $5,000-UP.
Ex American Numismatic Rarities 6/23/04:2081.
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| Realized
$9,200 |
Lot 56 |
 |
1795 C-6a R2 Plain Edge without Pole on a 1794 Overton-102 Half Dollar Die Trial in Copper G5. Struck on a Cut-Down Copper Die Trial of a 1794 Overton-102 Half Dollar. Sharpness VG10, even better on the reverse, but both sides are covered with fine granularity. No verdigris, but there is a strong rim nick over the second T in STATES and a scratch from the H in HALF down to the knot on the wreath bow. Slightly glossy dark olive and steel. The date is weak but easily readable and the legends are strong. This half cent was struck over a copper die trial of a 1794 half dollar. There is clear undertype from a portion of the half dollar wreath off the bust tip. The very bottom of a large "C" from AMERICA off the leaf tips at the upper end of this undertype. There isn't much undertype to work with on this example (none on the reverse), but there is enough to match it to the 1794 O-102 reverse and to eliminate all the other possibilities. By our count, 6 examples of the 1795 C-6a half cent are known struck over a cut-down copper die trial of a 1794 or 1795 half dollar. Our census includes 1794 O-101 (1), 1794 O-102 (1), 1794 O-104(1), 1794 O-105 (2), and 1795 O-117 (1). It may be safe to assume there are a few more out there misidentified as being double struck or struck over a TAL Cent. Weight 75.1 grains. Davy #95.6a.39.
Estimated Value $5,000-UP.
Ex Bowers & Merena (as double struck).
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| Realized
$6,325 |
Lot 57 |
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1795 C-6a R2 Plain Edge without Pole VG10. Double Struck on a Planchet with a Straight-Edge Clip. Glossy chocolate and steel. No corrosion or verdigris. Only a few light contact marks, including a pair of fine hairline scratches over AMERICA. Double struck. The offset between strikes is slightly more than a millimeter and is rotated about 5-10 degrees. The doubling is clearest along the profile from the face down to the bust tip. Extensive doubling is also visible on the reverse, especially at STATES that now reads "SSATESS." The outside edge of the straight-edge planchet clip over D-STA has a few light scrape marks that suggest the clip may not be mint-made, but that is difficult to determine with certainty. The date is weak but can be made out with some effort and the legends are complete. Weight 89.7 grains. Davy #95.6a.32.
Estimated Value $300-UP.
Ex Paul Munson-Roger S. Cohen, Jr., Superior 2/2/92:63.
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| Realized
$604 |
Lot 58 |
 |
1795 C-6a R2 Plain Edge without Pole G6. Struck on a Planchet with a Curved Clip. Very slightly sharper where properly struck up, but the lower part of the obverse and upper section of the reverse are a bit softly impressed. A patch of shallow planchet erosion under the bust tip nearly obliterates the 5 in the date but the 179 remain visible although weak. The legends are complete and easily readable. Slightly glossy steel brown with chocolate toning in protected areas. A curved planchet clip reaches just inside the dentils opposite the neck and AME. While all planchet clips are rare on early half cents, curved ones (created by the planchet cutter) are especially rare. Weight 80.9 grains. Davy #95.6a.14.
Estimated Value $200-UP.
Ex Jack Borckardt 3/12/82.
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| Realized
$334 |
Lot 59 |
 |
1795 C-6a R2 Plain Edge without Pole G6. Struck on a Cracked Planchet. Sharpness VG10 but covered with fine granularity on all but the high points, which are smooth. No verdigris or contact marks, but there is an obvious planchet crack from the rim right of the bust tip reaching nearly to the throat, plus a less-visible one from the rim up through the 9 to the truncation above. Slightly glossy dark olive and steel. The date is weak but readable and the legends are clear. Weight 77.1 grains. Davy #95.6a.15.
Estimated Value $200-UP.
Ex Jack Borckardt 3/12/82.
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| Realized
$414 |
Lot 60 |
 |
1795 C-6a R2 Plain Edge without Pole Fair-2. Struck on a Planchet with an Incomplete Planchet Cutter Impression. Slightly glossy chocolate brown. The center of the obverse is covered with tiny pitmarks and the surfaces are slightly uneven. The date is very faint, nearly gone, but most of the legends are readable. Basically a heavily worn half cent, but it comes with a redeeming quality. A fine arc from an incomplete planchet cutter impression is located a millimeter or two inside the right edge on both sides. The mint worker started to cut the planchet, then repositioned the cutting tool and finished the job, thus creating this extremely rare type of early mint error for us to enjoy today. Weight 74.3 grains. Davy #95.6a.24.
Estimated Value $100-UP.
Ex Mike Packard 4/15/88.
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| Realized
$144 |
Lot 61 |
 |
1796 C-1 R6 Without Pole ANACS graded AG details net Poor-1. Sharpness Good-4, even better in many areas, but the obverse fields were tooled and a large (4-5 millimeter diameter) hole was drilled through the planchet before the mouth. The hole has been plugged with minimal skill leaving obvious toolmarks in the area and the plug retains a coppery tone while the remainder of the planchet is a rather glossy chocolate brown. Several planchet voids affect the reverse, but these mint-made flaws are insignificant given the other post-minting defects. However, there are some positive features. The date is complete and easily readable, only the bottom of the 6 starting to fade away. LIBERTY, UNITED STATES, and the fraction are visible but the remainder of the reverse legend is gone. The ever-present bisecting die crack on the obverse is visible as a wave in the field even with the bottom edge of the cap, strongest near the dentils, but the large hole and plug cover the area where the crack would have shown in front of the portrait. This may be the worst-known example of the variety, but it's still a 1796 No Pole and that means a lot. You may ask why this piece is included in a sale of errors. It's a stretch, but think "error of judgment." Someone decided it would be a good idea to drill that big hole through a 1796 C-1, and that's an egregious error. The attribution is noted on the ANACS label. Weight unknown since it's slabbed. Davy #96.1.3.
Estimated Value $6,000-UP.
Ex Bernie Trombly 4/4/98.
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| Realized
$9,775 |
Lot 62 |
 |
1796 Edwards Copy Kenny-1 Rarity-7 EF45. Choice glossy medium brown. The surfaces are smooth and the eye appeal is excellent. A strong glass reveals that there are some extremely faint hairlines in the field before the portrait, all well hidden under the glossy toning. The only notable mark is a faint, very light but fresh scuff down from the left ribbon end. The edge under the date is covered with very fine but uniform reeding, which is quite unusual. The Edwards copies of the 1796 half cent were struck using hand-made dies on rolled copper planchets. These planchets vary greatly in weight, with the currently known specimens ranging from 59.4 grains to 94.5 grains and scattered rather randomly at various weights between these extremes. This piece is near the middle of the range. The workmanship is of good quality and the resulting design is a fairly accurate representation of the genuine article. These were struck sometime prior to 1865, and the first auction appearance came in 1866. After the death of Dr. Edwards, Edward Cogan wrote that he had destroyed the dies and all but 12 of the remaining specimens. It is possible, of course, that Dr. Edwards had distributed a few additional specimens before his death. These copies are highly sought and seldom appear for sale, and the population of known specimens appears to match the reported survivorship, or nearly so. Weight 72.4 grains. Davy #96.3.4.
Estimated Value $7,500-UP.
Ex Jim Jelinski (Essex Numismatics) 8/5/84.
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| Realized
$6,325 |
Lot 63 |
 |
1796 Edwards Copy Kenny-1 Electrotype Copy AU50. Glossy dark olive brown and steel with chocolate brown high points. Satiny luster covers the protected areas on the reverse. The only mark is a small patch of carbon after the second A in AMERICA. A well-executed electrotype copy of a copy, so nice in fact that this is the plate coin in the Breen book (page 166) illustrating the Edwards Copy. Whether or not Breen knew this piece was an electrotype copy when he selected it for his illustration is unknown. Weight 83.4 grains. Davy #96.3.2.
Estimated Value $500-UP.
Ex Stack’s 5/79:9 (withdrawn).
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| Realized
$1,783 |
Lot 64 |
 |
1797 C-1 R2 1 Above 1 Variety VF20. Double Struck with 90 Degree Rotation Between Strikes. Choice glossy chocolate brown with smooth, very attractive surfaces. Great eye appeal, nearly flawless. Double struck. The first impression was 10% off center to K-6 leaving the bottom of the date off the planchet. The second strike was properly centered and rotated about 90 degrees clockwise relative to the first strike. The end result is a dramatic, very attractive mint error with 2 dates and lots of bold evidence of both strikes. LDS, Manley state 5.0, with extensive die cracks on the obverse. Weight 80.4 grains. Davy #97.1.21.
Estimated Value $2,000-UP.
Ex an unrecorded seller at the 2003 EAC Convention 4/25/03.
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| Realized
$8,338 |
Lot 65 |
 |
1797 C-1 R2 1 Above 1 Variety F15. Double Struck, the First Strike Off Center. Sharpness EF45 but there is an old, strong scratch in the center of the obverse. Slightly glossy dark olive and steel with very fine granularity covering the planchet, strongest on the reverse. No verdigris. Double struck. The first strike was 30-40% off center to K-2 and the second strike was centered on the planchet. The top of the upper 1 (the 1 above the normal 1 in the date) from the off-center strike shows on the bust above the second 7 in the second date. Strong undertype from the first strike shows on the right half of both sides. Sharply struck EDS, Manley state 1.0, before any die cracks. Weight 86.2 grains. Davy #97.1.19.
Estimated Value $100-UP.
Ex Bowers & Merena Walter Childs Sale 8/30/99:20-Don Valenziano 1/13/2000.
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| Realized
$891 |
Lot 66 |
 |
1797 C-1 R2 1 Above 1 Variety VG10. Double Struck with 1 Millimeter Shift. Sharpness VF20 or slightly better but there is a spot of shallow reddish verdigris covering ERT in LIBERTY and both sides are covered with myriad hairline scratches. Rather glossy chocolate and steel with splashes of reddish chocolate toning on the obverse. Double struck with a 1 millimeter shift between impressions. Clear evidence of the first strike shows on both sides. The date reads 17977 (although the final digit is weak) and the fraction has 200 resting on top of the second 200. Similar strong undertype shows on the portrait and legend outside the wreath. M-LDS, Manley state 4.0. Weight 79.7 grains. Davy #97.1.15.
Estimated Value $1,500-UP.
Ex Bowers & Merena 9/14/92:17.
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| Realized
$805 |
Lot 67 |
 |
1797 C-1 R2 1 Above 1 Variety AG3+. Triple Struck with One Strike Off Center. Retoned glossy light bluish steel brown and chocolate. The surfaces are decent with only minor contact marks, including a scuff of very fine hairline scratches across the date, and no significant corrosion. This piece was struck at least 3 times. Two of the strikes are centered on the planchet and separated by a 45-degree rotation. The bust tip of that undertype impression shows in the field before the chin of the dominate impression, and on the reverse there is a strong AME followed by another strong AME. The off-center strike was 15-20% off center to K-8. Evidence of that impression includes a bust tip under the truncation of the dominate strike and the 79 of the date near the rim below the lowest curl. M-LDS, Manley state 4.0. Davy #97.1.10.
Estimated Value $300-UP.
Ex Tom Reynolds 7/22/88.
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| Realized
$391 |
Lot 68 |
 |
1797 C-1 R2 1 Above 1 Variety VF30. Double Struck on a 1794 Talbot Allum & Lee Cent with NEW YORK. Nice glossy olive and chocolate brown. Virtually flawless, just lightly worn. Ample evidence of the TAL Cent undertype is visible on both sides, including "NEW" at the top of the cap. This piece was double struck with both impressions centered on the planchet but rotated 30 degrees between the impressions. The result is dramatic, especially on the obverse where the date reads "17971797" and LIBERTY has become "LIBELIBERTY". M-LDS, Manley state 4.0. Weight 90.7 grains. Davy #97.1.18.
Estimated Value $2,000-UP.
Ex Anderson Dupont Sale, Stack's 11/54:1061-Dr. Thomas S. Chalkley, Superior 1/28/91:25-Tom Reynolds 12/9/94.
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| Realized
$7,475 |
Lot 69 |
 |
1797 C-1 R2 1 Above 1 Variety AG3+. Double Struck on a 1794 Talbot Allum & Lee Cent with NEW YORK. Glossy chocolate brown with smooth surfaces. The only mark is a dull, light scratch or thin scrape above the C in CENT. Many of the details are consistent with a slightly higher grade, especially the portrait that grades at least G6, but portions of the legend on the reverse are worn smooth. Strong undertype from the TAL Cent shows on both sides, and RK from YORK is visible at ERT in the version of LIBERTY that is visible before the face of the boldest version of Ms Liberty. This piece was double struck. Both impressions were nearly centered on the planchet and were rotated 35 degrees between strikes. Clear evidence of each strike is visible on both sides, but only the 97 of one of the dates is readable. A very nice example of this type of mint error in spite of the relatively low grade. Weight 84.3 grains. Davy #97.1.20.
Estimated Value $300-UP.
Ex Lanny Reinhardt 4/24/93.
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| Realized
$1,006 |
Lot 70 |
 |
1797 C-1 R2 1 Above 1 Variety VG8. Struck on a 1794 Talbot Allum & Lee Cent with Edge Lettering. A couple points sharper with myriad fine hairline scratches on both sides. The scratches all blend into the glossy chocolate and steel toning and the eye appeal remains quite nice for the grade. The only other defects are a small planchet flake above the first 7 in the date and a spot of very fine roughness at the H in HALF. E-MDS, Manley state 2.0. The date is strong. Struck on a 1794 TAL Cent with obvious undertype visible on both sides. The half cent planchet was cut out too close to the edge of the TAL Cent. As a result the planchet is not round and "HE STO" is clearly visible on the edge (from the normal 1794 TAL edge lettering that reads "PAYABLE AT THE STORE OF"). Weight 88.8 grains. Davy #97.1.8.
Estimated Value $800-UP.
Ex Ron Guth 7/23/82.
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| Realized
$978 |
Lot 71 |
 |
1797 C-1 R2 1 Above 1 Variety F15. Struck over a 1795 Talbot Allum & Lee Cent. Glossy chocolate brown. No roughness or verdigris and only a few trivial contact marks mixed in with lots of strong undertype from the 1795 TAL Cent. The aft of the ship shows clearly before the face of Ms Liberty and much of the compact legend of the reverse of the 1795 version is clearly visible under the date. The 1795 date is visible at TES in STATES, although the 5 is weak. While half cents struck on planchets cut from 1794 TAL Cents are relatively common, ones from the 1795 version are extremely rare. And this example displays lots of the distinctive 1795 reverse undertype in addition to the date, so the attribution is unquestioned. M-LDS, Manley state 4.0 late with die failure that severely weakens RICA. Weight 95.4 grains. Davy #97.1.7.
Estimated Value $1,000-UP.
Ex Samuel Ungar-R. K. Ivey 3/12/82.
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| Realized
$4,140 |
Lot 72 |
 |
1795 Talbot Allum & Lee Cent Breen-1035 AU55. Lustrous medium brown with darker steel brown toning on the high points and traces of faded mint color remaining in a few places. Excellent eye appeal, just a few trivial contact marks and a light touch of friction on the high points. The edge is lettered and reads "WE PROMISE TO PAY THE BEARER ONE CENT". Obviously this is neither a half cent nor an error strike. But it is added here because of the important relationship between these TAL cents (or at least their planchets) and our half cents.
Estimated Value $200-UP.
Ex Abner Kreisberg (Quality Sales Corp.) MBS 11/30/70:28.
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| Realized
$529 |
Lot 73 |
 |
1797 C-2 R3 F15. Double Struck Slightly Off Center. Sharpness VF20 or slightly better but the surfaces display extremely faint roughness in the fields and protected areas, strongest on the reverse. No verdigris, only some barely visible hairline scratches hidden in the natural toning. Mostly glossy chocolate brown with traces of lighter brown toning around Ms Liberty. Double struck slightly off center to K-8.5. The offset between impressions is small, perhaps .5 to 1.0 millimeters, but the doubling is obvious on both sides and the date reads 17977. Plated on page 479 in the Breen encyclopedia to represent what he calls "Close Centered Double Striking." Weight 69.1 grains. Davy #97.2.7.
Estimated Value $200-UP.
Ex Auction '80, Stack's 8/15/80:1006.
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| Realized
$2,128 |
Lot 74 |
 |
1797 C-2 R3 VG10+. Double Struck Off Center over Talbot Allum & Lee Cent. Glossy chocolate brown with hints of light bluish steel overtone. Smooth and nearly flawless, a tiny pinprick in the field over the head offering the best identifying mark. Close to F12. Double struck over a TAL Cent. The first strike was centered on the planchet while the second was slightly off center to K-8. The date from the initial impression remains readable just above the stronger second date, and clear doubling with a 1-millimeter offset is visible elsewhere on both sides. Evidence of the TAL Cent undertype shows at UNI in UNITED. This piece was cataloged as a triple strike when sold in the Roger Cohen sale (Superior 2/2/92), but the TAL undertype was thought to be evidence of another strike from the half cent dies. Either way, it's a great half cent. Weight 91.8 grains. Davy #97.2.18.
Estimated Value $1,000-UP.
Ex Paul Munson-Roger S. Cohen, Jr., Superior 2/2/92:84.
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| Realized
$2,645 |
Lot 75 |
 |
1797 C-2 R3 G6. Double Struck with Rotation. Very slightly sharper but covered with extremely fine granularity on all but the high points. No verdigris. The only marks are faint hairline scratches on both sides, all hidden in the slightly glossy chocolate and steel brown toning. Double struck. Both strikes are fairly well centered on the planchet but the second is rotated 10-15 degrees CCW relative to the first. LIBERTY reads "LIBIBERYTY", there are two strong poles at the bust, and the clearest fraction is offset well to the right relative to its normal position in the wreath. Sometimes referred to as "The Two-Pole Variety." Weight 81.2 grains. Davy #97.2.4.
Estimated Value $1,000-UP.
Ex Ron Guth 8/24/77.
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| Realized
$633 |
Lot 76 |
 |
1797 C-2 R3 VG8. Double Struck Slightly Off Center with Rotation. Slightly sharper but there are small areas of shallow corrosion in the field off the chin and another over the first LI in LIBERTY, plus some extremely tiny pitmarks scattered over the reverse. Glossy chocolate and light bluish steel brown. Double struck in a manner virtually identical to the preceding lot. The first strike was centered and the second very slightly off center to K-7 with a rotation of 10-15 degrees CCW between the strikes. There are two strong poles at the bust tip, LIBERTY reads "LILIBERYTY", and the fraction is offset well to the right of its proper location. The similarity to the preceding lot is uncanny, but this one is slightly less worn. A second example of "The Two Pole Variety." Weight 90.1 grains. Davy #97.2.2.
Estimated Value $400-UP.
Ex William K. Raymond 3/17/75.
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| Realized
$529 |
Lot 77 |
 |
1797 C-2 R3 F15+. Double Struck on Center with Minor Rotation. Close to VF20 but there is a small spot of very fine roughness at the tip of the lowest curl. Otherwise the planchet is smooth and attractive and the only mark is a small rim nick just right of the fraction. Very attractive glossy chocolate brown. Nicely struck and well balanced. Double struck. Both strikes were centered on the planchet and the second was rotated slightly CCW relative to the first. The result is fine but clear doubling on nearly everything leaving two poles at the bust, two mouths, two eyes, and sharp doubling on all 4 digits of the date. Weight 82.4 grains. Davy #97.2.23.
Estimated Value $300-UP.
Ex Tom Reynolds 12/9/94.
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| Realized
$2,128 |
Lot 78 |
 |
1797 C-2 R3 G4. Double Struck Well Off Center. Several points sharper but the surfaces are uneven with small patches of shallow corrosion on both sides. No verdigris or notable contact marks. Rather glossy chocolate brown with darker steel and olive toning in protected areas. Double struck. One impression was about 45% off center to K-7 and the other was centered on the planchet. LIBE from the off-center strike shows at the bottom of the cap and UN is clearly visible at the upper left of the reverse. Ample additional evidence of the off-center strike is visible on both sides. The date from the main (centered) strike remains easily readable. Weight 87.1 grains. Davy #97.2.25.
Estimated Value $1,000-UP.
Ex Superior 6/2/97:9.
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| Realized
$449 |
Lot 79 |
 |
1797 C-2 R3 VG8. Double Struck with Both Strikes Slightly Off Center. Sharpness VF20 but covered with fine roughness under a slightly glossy dark chocolate and olive brown patina. No verdigris, and the notable mark is a dull but obvious scratch from ES in STATES to the F in HALF. Double struck. The first strike was slightly off center to K-11 and the second was off a bit to K-6 and rotated 10-15 degrees relative to the first. There is a stray "97" on the bust tip in addition to a complete date in the usual place and an extra "200" denominator is located below and slightly left of the normal fraction. Additional clear doubling is visible on both sides. Weight 72.4 grains. Davy #97.2.14.
Estimated Value $200-UP.
Ex Kagin's 9/78:9-Bowers & Merena 1989 ANA Sale 8/9/89:1115.
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| Realized
$529 |
Lot 80 |
 |
1797 C-2 R3 Fair-2. Flipover Double Strike. The obverse details are sharper but the reverse is weaker and most of those details are gone. There is a small but deep contact mark near the dentils at K-1 on the obverse that caused a tiny bump to stick out on the reverse. Slightly glossy dark chocolate and olive brown. Far from the most attractive half cent in this sale, but it does have a redeeming quality. This piece was double struck and it was flipped over between impressions. Both strikes were centered on the planchet. Strong evidence of the reverse shows on the obverse, including a portion of the wreath across the bottom of the truncation, more of the wreath before the face, and AM from AMERICA clearly visible just right of the Y in LIBERTY. The 97 of the date is faint but readable. While double struck examples are relatively common (although very rare in a real sense), pieces that were flipped over before being struck a second time are extremely rare. Weight 66.4 grains. Davy #97.2.28.
Estimated Value $400-UP.
Ex Chris McCawley, McCawley & Grellman Auctions/Superior 9/23/02:1525-McCawley & Grellman Auctions/Superior 3/31/05:1086.
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| Realized
$242 |
Lot 81 |
 |
1797 C-2 R3 G4. Off Center. The obverse is better while the reverse is weaker thanks to being bulged outward slightly. Glossy medium brown and light chocolate. The date and LIBERTY are clear but only slightly more than half of the reverse legend remains readable. Struck 10% off center to K-8.5. Weight 82.1 grains. Davy #97.2.27.
Estimated Value $300-UP.
Ex an unrecorded seller at the 2003 EAC Convention 4/25/03.
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| Realized
$368 |
Lot 82 |
 |
1797 C-2 R3 G6. Struck Over Off Center 1797 S-139 Large Cent. Glossy olive and dark chocolate brown with lighter chocolate toning covering the devices. The surfaces are smooth although not perfectly so and the only notable marks are some faint hairline scratches across the date. The half cent was struck very slightly off center to K-12 but only the length of the half cent dentils was affected. The planchet for this half cent was cut from an off-center 1797 Sheldon-139 large cent, and strong evidence of the large cent remains visible on both sides. Although the date of the large cent is not included and only the upper parts of AME and some of the dentils are visible, there is enough detail to attribute the cent. Of particular importance is the elongated dentil over the left edge of the M, which is of considerable help in the search. This is a fantastic early "error" (remember, spoiled large cent planchets were used intentionally to make half cents, so they are technically not "errors"). But they sure are neat! This piece is plated on page 482 of the Breen encyclopedia to illustrate a half cent struck on an off-center large cent. Weight 90.6 grains. Davy #97.2.6.
Estimated Value $300-UP.
Ex Roy Harte, Bowers & Ruddy 11/16/77:2049 (via Abner Kreisberg 11/26/77).
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| Realized
$3,450 |
Lot 83 |
 |
1797 C-2 R3 G4. Struck over a 1794 Talbot Allum & Lee Cent with NEW YORK. Sharpness at least VG8 but lightly corroded. No marks or verdigris. The date is easily readable and the legends are mostly clear. Rather glossy olive brown with lighter chocolate brown toning on the high points. Much of the TAL Cent undertype remains readable on both sides, including ORK from NEW YORK just above the head. Weight 90.5 grains. Davy #97.2.12.
Estimated Value $400-UP.
Ex Don Valenziano at the 1988 EAC Convention.
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| Realized
$460 |
Lot 84 |
 |
1797 C-2 R3 VG7. Double Struck on 1794 Talbot Allum & Lee Cent with NEW YORK. Very slightly sharper but lightly cleaned and retoned a rather glossy light olive and chocolate brown, the obverse a couple shades lighter than the reverse. The surfaces are smooth and display only a few trivial marks. Among these are a small rim nick over the T in LIBERTY, a few faint hairline scratches across the date, and a minor planchet fissure at the rim left of the lower curls (as struck). The date is clear. Undertype from the 1794 TAL Cent includes NEW from NEW YORK at RTY and COM from COMMERCE at the dentils right of the fraction. Double struck with a small offset of less than a millimeter between the impressions. Everything displays doubling, which is clearest along the profile of Ms Liberty. Weight 87.5 grains. Davy #97.2.20.
Estimated Value $300-UP.
Ex Bowers & Merena 3/4/92.
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| Realized
$506 |
Lot 85 |
 |
1797 C-2 R3 G5. Struck over a 1795 Talbot Allum & Lee Cent with Edge Lettering. Attractive glossy chocolate brown with smooth surfaces. Just a few minor contact marks, including a dull, light scratch in the field over the bust tip, a small rim bruise at the second T in STATES, and an even smaller one at IC in AMERICA. Struck over a 1795 TAL Cent with "ISE TO" on the edge (from WE PROMISE TO PAY THE BEARER ONE CENT). TAL Cent undertype from BERTY has obliterated the date of the half cent, and STORE from the reverse of the TAL Cent shows clearly at the top of the reverse. Half cents struck over cut-down 1794 TAL Cents are not especially rare, but ones on the 1795 version are quite rare and only a couple of those show remnants of the edge letters. Weight 83.2 grains. Davy #97.2.24.
Estimated Value $400-UP.
Ex Gino Sanfilippo.
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| Realized
$805 |
Lot 86 |
 |
1797 C-2 R3 VF25. Clipped Planchet. Very attractive glossy light olive and chocolate brown. No corrosion and only a few trivial marks, including a collection of microscopic pinpricks in the field over the end of the pole and another small pinprick hidden in the dentils left of the lower curls. Nicely struck, although there are some tiny, pre-striking planchet chips inside the wreath that weaken LF and NT. A slightly curved mint-made planchet clip affects the dentils before the mouth. Great eye appeal for the grade, and an argument could be made for VF30. Weight 69.5 grains, which is significantly underweight thanks to the planchet being thinner than normal. The thinness helps explain why all the central planchet chips didn't completely strike out. The dies were set for striking a slightly thicker planchet. Davy #97.2.17.
Estimated Value $300-UP.
Ex Charles Steigerwalt 1911 FPL-unknown-Loye Lauder, William Doyle Galleries 12/16/83:247-Roger S. Cohen, Jr., Superior 2/2/92:81.
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| Realized
$3,565 |
Lot 87 |
 |
1797 C-3a R3 Low Head with Plain Edge F15+. Slightly Off Center over Spoiled Large Cent. Sharpness EF40 or better but the surfaces are minutely rough under an attractive glossy light olive and medium brown patina. The color and eye appeal are excellent in spite of the roughness, which is strongest on the upper part of the reverse. No verdigris, and the only mark is a tiny nick in the field under the I in LIBERTY. Close to VF20 in spite of the imperfect surfaces. Struck slightly off center to K-7 on a planchet cut down from an off-center large cent, but the date and legends remain on the planchet. There is an arc of cent dentils from the chin down to the shoulder of Ms Liberty. The reverse has several traces of cent undertype. These include and N of ONE left of the U in UNITED, D STAT arcing from the H in HALF to the second A in AMERICA, and the EN of CENT over UN in UNITED of the half cent. None of the cent undertype is strong, but there is a lot of it. MDS, Manley state 2.0. The die crack from the chin extends lightly to the rim at right. Weight 98.1 grains. Davy #97.3a.10.
Estimated Value $2,000-UP.
Ex Hugh Campbell-Jack Beymer-Roger S. Cohen, Jr., Superior 2/2/92:86.
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| Realized
$2,990 |
Lot 88 |
 |
1797 C-3a R3 Low Head with Plain Edge G6. Struck over Spoiled Large Cent. A couple points sharper, especially on the obverse, but covered with extremely fine granularity. No verdigris, just some old pinscratches on the portrait into the field under the cap, all blending into the natural toning. Rather glossy olive brown and chocolate with lighter chocolate toning covering the devices. The date is strong and the legends are clear except for weakness at the top of the reverse. Struck on a planchet cut from an off-center large cent. An arc of large cent dentils shows under the bust and a stronger arc of opposing dentils reaches from the rim at D-S to the O in OF. AMER from the off-center large cent shows rather clearly in large letters inside those cent dentils at the top of the reverse, and the cent design contributed to the weakness on STATES OF in the half cent legend. Weight 77.1 grains. Davy #97.3a.13.
Estimated Value $2,000-UP.
Ex Doug Bird 3/30/01.
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| Realized
$552 |
Lot 89 |
 |
1797 C-3a R3 Low Head with Plain Edge AG3. Struck over Off Center Large Cent. Glossy dark chocolate brown with lighter brown highlights on the reverse. No corrosion or roughness, but there are some dull contact marks, including one in the center of the obverse, another left of the L in LIBERTY, and a third over the E in UNITED. The legends are mostly clear but there is no date as that area is covered with the bust of an off center large cent. The F from OF on the cent reverse is visible inside the opposing arc of large cent dentils at the top of the reverse. Weight 76.5 grains. Davy #97.3a.9.
Estimated Value $300-UP.
Ex Don Valenziano 6/6/89.
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| Realized
$460 |
Lot 90 |
 |
1797 C-3a R3 Low Head with Plain Edge AG3. Struck over Off Center Large Cent with Indent. Glossy chocolate and steel brown. No roughness or verdigris, but there are some scratches on both sides, including a strong one from the ear to the top of the head. The date is bold but most of the legends are worn smooth. Struck on a badly off-center large cent. A bold arc of the reverse of the large cent shows at the top of the obverse of the half cent, and "OF" from the cent is clearly visible. The large cent was struck with an indent error on the obverse (probably caused when a blank planchet partially overlapped this planchet as it was struck by the cent dies), and the indent shows opposite the struck portion of the cent at the top of the half cent obverse. There is some faint design in the indented area, possibly from an off-center brockage impression (see the next lot). Weight 73.8 grains. Davy #97.3a.6.
Estimated Value $200-UP.
Ex Jim McGuigan at the 1982 ANA Convention (as part of a swap of 1796 half cents) 8/18/82.
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| Realized
$1,323 |
Lot 91 |
 |
1797 C-3a R3 Low Head with Plain Edge AG3+. Struck over Off Center Reverse Brockage Large Cent. The obverse is at least G4 with a clear date while the reverse is only AG3. Smooth and attractive, just worn. The only marks of any significance are two light hairline scratches in the field under the cap. Glossy light chocolate brown. Struck on an off-center large cent showing strong evidence of the cent on both sides. "S OF" from the cent reverse is clearly visible before the head, and an incuse brockage impression of "TE" from the cent reverse shows in the reverse indent. This "TE" could be from UNITED or STATES, but it appears to be from UNITED based on what appears to be the faint top of a D following the E. Obviously the spoiled cent was an off-center brockage strike. Another wonderful example of the various anomalies found on our early half cents and the frugality of our Federal Mint during its infancy. Weight 70.4 grains. Davy #97.3a.4.
Estimated Value $200-UP.
Ex Bill Weber (part of a trade) 11/11/80.
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| Realized
$3,450 |
Lot 92 |
 |
1797 C-3a R3 Low Head with Plain Edge AG3. Off Center. A couple points sharper, especially on the obverse, but covered with microscopic granularity on all but the high points, which are nearly smooth. No verdigris, and the only marks are a few very thin rim nicks over the O in OF. The date is complete and easily readable and most of the reverse legend is visible. Slightly glossy dark chocolate brown with lighter brown high points. Struck 10% off center to K-1.5. Weight 79.1 grains. Davy #97.3a.5.
Estimated Value $500-UP.
Ex Ron Guth 3/12/82.
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| Realized
$552 |
Lot 93 |
 |
1797 C-3a R3 Low Head with Plain Edge AG3. Off Center. Slightly sharper but banged up a bit. The surfaces are uneven with traces of very light corrosion but no verdigris. The notable marks are a couple nicks close above the head, a dull rim nick under the 17, another at the top of the cap, and a rim cut right of the fraction. Mostly glossy dark olive with lighter steel brown toning on the devices. The date is clear and most of the legends remain visible. LDS, Manley state 3.0. Struck 5% off center to K-2. The edge has numerous contact marks that have led some serious collectors to believe this piece has a gripped edge, but unfortunately they are post-striking contact marks. Weight 80.4 grains. Davy #97.3a.11.
Estimated Value $200-UP.
Ex Frank E. Wilkinson (who thought the edge marks were from a gripped edge) 8/86-Roger S. Cohen, Jr., Superior 2/2/92:89.
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| Realized
$414 |
Lot 94 |
 |
1797 C-3b R4 Low Head with Lettered Edge VG8. Struck over Off Center Large Cent. Sharpness F12 but covered with microscopic roughness. No verdigris and only a few contact marks, including a couple very light scratches hidden in the hair below the ear. Slightly glossy light olive and chocolate brown. The date and legends are easily readable although a few letters are relatively weak. Struck over a cut-down off center large cent with an arc of the dentils of the large cent strongly impressed at 179 (of the half cent date) to the left of the lower curls. An opposing arc of large cent dentils shows at TATES of the half cent reverse. The date and legends are all readable, and the edge lettering is strong (although most of the letters hang off the thin planchet, as usual). Weight 80.1 grains. Davy #97.3b.6.
Estimated Value $100-UP.
Ex 1984 EAC Sale 3/31/84:422 (where miscataloged as "double struck").
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| Realized
$3,795 |
Lot 95 |
 |
1797 C-3b R4 Low Head with Lettered Edge AG3. Struck over Off Center Large Cent. Very slightly sharper but there is a patch of light corrosion that contains traces of raised emerald green verdigris on the cheek and some more on the reverse rim at K-9 to K-12. The remainder of the planchet is relatively smooth but does have microscopic roughness under the rather glossy olive brown and chocolate patina. No contact marks of any significance. The date is strong and LIBERTY is clear, but much of the reverse legend is gone. Struck on an off-center large cent with "AM" of AMERICA clearly visible before the throat and opposing arcs of cent dentils show on both sides. The edge lettering is complete and strong except for the last few letters of DOLLAR, which are weakened by the light corrosion. Weight 79.0 grains. Davy #97.3b.4.
Estimated Value $1,500-UP.
Ex Joe Flynn 3/24/80.
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| Realized
$863 |
Lot 96 |
 |
1797 C-3b R4 Low Head with Lettered Edge G4. Struck over Off Center Large Cent. Sharpness VG10 but covered with light to moderate corrosion. No verdigris or contact marks. Slightly glossy dark olive and steel. The date is strong and the legends are complete except for STATES OF, which are faint or missing. Struck very slightly off center to K-5 on a spoiled large cent planchet. The only clearly visible evidence of the cent is a large "A" positioned over the C in AMERICA. The edge lettering is complete and clear, although many of the letters hang off the thin planchet. Weight 82.0 grains. Davy #97.3b.8.
Estimated Value $500-UP.
Ex American Numismatic Rarities 9/13/03:116.
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| Realized
$604 |
Lot 97 |
 |
1797 C-3b R4 Low Head with Lettered Edge G5. Struck over a Large Cent that was Double Struck Off Center. A couple points sharper but fine roughness covers both sides and there are patches of very fine reddish verdigris dusted on the obverse, especially at LIB and in the field before the eye. In addition, there are some light hairline scratches down the portrait and a few rim nicks on the reverse. Slightly glossy light olive brown and chocolate. Struck over a double struck cut-down large cent. The hair ribbon from one of the cent strikes shows strongly on the lower curls, and the cent undertype obliterates the 1 in the half cent date. On the reverse is strong cent undertype of ATE from STATES covering the area where STATES would have been on the half cent, and weaker but unmistakable undertype from STATES also shows at the tops of OF-AMER (which proves the double-struck status of the cent undertype). The edge lettering is mostly strong but a few of the letters are distorted by the rim nicks. The reverse is plated on page 29 in Roger Cohen’s second edition of his half cent book to illustrate the "Large Cent Planchet" undertype because the evidence is so strong. Weight 90.0 grains. Davy #97.3b.7.
Estimated Value $400-UP.
Ex Robert Batchelder-Roger S. Cohen, Jr., Superior 2/2/92:93.
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| Realized
$2,013 |
Lot 98 |
 |
1800 C-1 R2 G5. Struck over Off Center Large Cent. A couple points sharper with a dull scratch from the eye to the rim at right and a dozen small pinpricks on the reverse, especially below CENT, plus a few other small contact marks. Glossy chocolate brown. The date and legends are clear. Struck on a cut-down spoiled large cent showing TED from UNITED of the large cent in the field over the bust, the undertype clearly visible to the unaided eye. No undertype is visible on the reverse, which suggests the cent was spoiled at least in part due to an error in striking the reverse. LDS, Manley state 5.0. Weight 76.6 grains. Davy #00.1.3.
Estimated Value $1,000-UP.
Ex William K. Raymond 5/22/75.
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| Realized
$1,553 |
Lot 99 |
 |
1800 C-1 R2 G4. Struck over Off Center Large Cent. Glossy light olive and chocolate brown. No roughness, only faint hairlines and trivial contact marks including some tiny pinpricks on the portrait and a couple tiny hairline scratches in the indented area at the top of the head. Struck over an off-center large cent with TAT from STATES on the cent at the bottom of the reverse. The opposing area on the obverse is indented and it contains faint evidence of what appears to be a large "A". Roger Cohen stated on page 35 in the second edition of his book on the half cent series that he was aware of only 6 examples of 1800 half cents that showed clear undertype from a spoiled large cent. The 1992 catalog of his collection updated this number to 8 examples, and none of those is in high grade. Today that number is slightly higher thanks to the discovery of a few more low-grade pieces, but it's still in the Rarity-7 range. Don't let the fact that 5 are being offered in this sale lead you to think they are "common." Weight 73.5 grains. Davy #00.1.20.
Estimated Value $500-UP.
Ex Barry Knastle 7/28/92.
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| Realized
$2,300 |
Lot 100 |
 |
1800 C-1 R2 G4. Struck over Off Center Large Cent, Possibly 1798 Sheldon-173. Glossy chocolate and olive brown. No roughness or verdigris, but there are some dull contact marks near the obverse rim at K-9 to K-12 plus a couple more on the left edge of the reverse. Struck over an off-center large cent with bold undertype showing on the lower half of the reverse. A careful examination of those cent details suggests the spoiled cent was a 1798 of the Sheldon-173 die variety, but it is difficult to be absolutely certain of the attribution. What is certain is that this half cent displays lots of strong undertype from the reverse of a spoiled large cent, which is extremely rare. Weight 78.2 grains. Davy #00.1.17.
Estimated Value $500-UP.
Ex Roger S. Cohen, Jr., Superior 2/2/92:103.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$1,783 |
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