Lot 2479
1815/2. NGC graded AU-58. CAC Approved. A truly lovely example of this popular key date issue featuring grayish-violet and iridescent colors on both sides. The toning adds greatly to the allure, with underlying lustrous surfaces framed by the colorful shades around the stars and legend and overlaying the surfaces. Both dies show only the faintest clash marks, unlike the deeper indentations seen on a substantial number of survivors from the 1815 mintage. A first-rate example of this rarity that is one of the most attractive we have seen in its AU58 grade, certainly outmatches many technically higher grade specimens. Pop 27; 24 finer .
Historic Note: On January 11, 1816, a fire in the rear building of the Mint damaged rolling and cutting apparatus sufficiently to make any further coinage of gold or silver impossible until extensive repairs could be made.
Regarding the damage to the rolling and cutting apparatus, while this affected the Mint planchet preparation process, the real reason for lack of half dollar coinage after 1815 was lack of deposits. The War of 1812 had officially ended on December 24, 1814, but news of this was not fully disseminated until well into 1815 (the Battle of New Orleans, showcasing the heroism of Andrew Jackson, took place in January 1815 after the war had ended). The commerce of Europe remained in turmoil, affected not only by the aftermath of the War of 1812, but also the recent wider-ranging Napoleonic Wars.
Estimated Value $7,000 - 8,000.
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| Realized $13,800 |
