1796 1/2C With Pole, BN (Regular Strike)

Series: Liberty Cap Right Half Cents 1794-1797

PCGS MS65BN

WITH POLE/NO POLE COMPARISON

PCGS AU58BN

PCGS #:: 1027

Designer:: John Smith Gardner

Edge:: Plain

Diameter:: 23.50 millimeters

Weight:: 5.44 grams

Mintage:: 1,390

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: Copper

Auction Record:: $402,500 • MS64 • 08-04-2012 • Stack's Bowers

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Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts' opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity By Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity By Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
All Grades	110	R-7.9	4 / 11	4 / 14
60 or Better	5	R-9.7	5 / 11 TIE	6 / 14 TIE
65 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 11	1 / 14

Survival Estimate
All Grades	110
60 or Better	5
65 or Better

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-7.9
60 or Better	R-9.7
65 or Better	R-10.1

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	4 / 11
60 or Better	5 / 11 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 11

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	4 / 14
60 or Better	6 / 14 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 14

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS65BN estimated grade
2	MS63BN PCGS grade	Stack’s 7/2008, $253,000 - Stack’s/Bowers 8/2012:11167, $402,500
3	MS62BN estimated grade
3	MS62BN estimated grade
5	MS60BN estimated grade	G.M. Klein Collection - W. Elliot Woodward 5/1888:2048 - Col. James W. Ellsworth Collection - Wayte Raymond & John Work Garrett - Hillyer Ryder Collection and Estate - New Netherlands, sold privately - Norweb Collection - Bowers & Merena 10/1987:23, $25,300
6	AU58 PCGS grade
6	AU58 PCGS grade
8	AU58 estimated grade	Stack’s FPL of the Philip M. Showers Collection of Half Cents, sold privately - Willis I. duPont, sold privately for $28,000 in 1982 - Jim McGuigan Collection - J.A. Sherman Collection - Eugene Gardner Collection - Heritage 10/2014:98002, $129,250

#1 MS65BN estimated grade

#2 MS63BN PCGS grade

Stack’s 7/2008, $253,000 - Stack’s/Bowers 8/2012:11167, $402,500

#3 MS62BN estimated grade

#5 MS60BN estimated grade

G.M. Klein Collection - W. Elliot Woodward 5/1888:2048 - Col. James W. Ellsworth Collection - Wayte Raymond & John Work Garrett - Hillyer Ryder Collection and Estate - New Netherlands, sold privately - Norweb Collection - Bowers & Merena 10/1987:23, $25,300

#6 AU58 PCGS grade

#8 AU58 estimated grade

Stack’s FPL of the Philip M. Showers Collection of Half Cents, sold privately - Willis I. duPont, sold privately for $28,000 in 1982 - Jim McGuigan Collection - J.A. Sherman Collection - Eugene Gardner Collection - Heritage 10/2014:98002, $129,250

Ron Guth: 1796 Half Cents are known on planchets made from rolled copper strips or cut-down U.S. Large Cents, with the latter being extremely rare.

This was the only use of the obverse die.

The reverse die of this variety was also used on:
1796 Cohen 1

Most examples seen of this variety are in circulated condition, although a number of choice Mint State examples are known.