1826 1/2C, RB
1828 1/2C 12 Stars, RB

1828 1/2C C-3, RB (Regular Strike)

Series: Classic Head Half Cents 1809-1835

PCGS MS65RB

PCGS MS65RB

PCGS MS64RB

PCGS MS64RB

PCGS MS64RB

PCGS MS64RB

PCGS #:
35262
Designer:
John Reich
Edge:
Plain
Diameter:
23.50 millimeters
Weight:
5.44 grams
Mintage:
606,000
Mint:
Philadelphia
Metal:
Copper
Auction Record:
$12,075 • MS64 • 01-26-2014 • Goldberg Auctioneers

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos Grade Image Pedigree and History
1 PCGS MS65RB

Heritage Auctions, April 28, 2019, Lot 3031 - $2,160; Heritage Auctions, July 14, 2019, Lot 3300 - $2,160. C-3. Faint toning spots to the right of stars 4 and 6. 
1 PCGS MS65RB

C-3. Fiery red surfaces with swirling gold-green toning. Steel grey toning spot on Y of LIBERTY.
1 PCGS MS65RB

NGC MS65RB #1623349-003: Heritage Auctions, November 29, 2006, Lot 59 – $2,645; Bowers & Merena, August 5, 2009.  As PCGS MS65RB #34067806. Goldberg Auctioneers, February 19, 2018, Lot 172 - $4,700. C-3.
1 PCGS MS65RB

Heritage Auctions, June 1, 2001, Lot 7475 - $1,437.50; "The Aspen Collection," Heritage Auctions, July 31, 2008, Lot 984 - $3,220; Heritage Auctions, January 7, 2009, Lot 155 - $2,817.50; Heritage Auctions, April 23, 2014, Lot 3892 - $3,055. C-3.
1 PCGS MS65RB

C-3.
1 PCGS MS65RB

C-3.
1 PCGS MS65RB

C-3.
1 PCGS MS65RB

C-3.
9 PCGS MS64RB

Heritage Auctions, June 2, 2005, Lot 5062 - $1,495; Heritage Auctions, May 4, 2022, Lot 21010 - $810. C-3.
9 PCGS MS64RB

Laster Merkins, sold privately, November 20, 1970; R. Tettenhorst (Bernard Edison); Eric P. Newman Numismatic Educational Foundation; "The Missouri Cabinet," Goldberg Auctioneers, January 26, 2014, Lot 116 - $12,075. C-3.
9 PCGS MS64RB

C-3.
#1 PCGS MS65RB

Heritage Auctions, April 28, 2019, Lot 3031 - $2,160; Heritage Auctions, July 14, 2019, Lot 3300 - $2,160. C-3. Faint toning spots to the right of stars 4 and 6. 
#1 PCGS MS65RB

C-3. Fiery red surfaces with swirling gold-green toning. Steel grey toning spot on Y of LIBERTY.
#1 PCGS MS65RB

NGC MS65RB #1623349-003: Heritage Auctions, November 29, 2006, Lot 59 – $2,645; Bowers & Merena, August 5, 2009.  As PCGS MS65RB #34067806. Goldberg Auctioneers, February 19, 2018, Lot 172 - $4,700. C-3.
#1 PCGS MS65RB

Heritage Auctions, June 1, 2001, Lot 7475 - $1,437.50; "The Aspen Collection," Heritage Auctions, July 31, 2008, Lot 984 - $3,220; Heritage Auctions, January 7, 2009, Lot 155 - $2,817.50; Heritage Auctions, April 23, 2014, Lot 3892 - $3,055. C-3.
#1 PCGS MS65RB

C-3.
#1 PCGS MS65RB

C-3.
#1 PCGS MS65RB

C-3.
#1 PCGS MS65RB

C-3.
#9 PCGS MS64RB

Heritage Auctions, June 2, 2005, Lot 5062 - $1,495; Heritage Auctions, May 4, 2022, Lot 21010 - $810. C-3.
#9 PCGS MS64RB

Laster Merkins, sold privately, November 20, 1970; R. Tettenhorst (Bernard Edison); Eric P. Newman Numismatic Educational Foundation; "The Missouri Cabinet," Goldberg Auctioneers, January 26, 2014, Lot 116 - $12,075. C-3.
#9 PCGS MS64RB

C-3.
Charles Morgan:

1828 Draped Bust Half Cent, Cohen-3, 13 Stars

Eckberg 2-B. Breen-2. Guide Book variety (along with Cohen-1): “13 Stars.” Rarity-1.

This variety is distinguished by 13 stars on the obverse and an unevenly spaced date, specifically with the 2 sitting below the arc of the other numerals.

Diagnostic pickup points include:

  • Star 7: Features noticeable repunching.
  • Die Defect: The top of the letter H in HALF is connected to the frame or surrounding details due to a specific die defect.
  • Star 13: Points directly at a dentil (unlike Cohen-1, where it points between them).

Most Red (RD) or Red-Brown (RB) examples of the 1828 issue are traced to a famous hoard of approximately 1,000 pieces discovered in 1884. These were sold by Washington, D.C. dealer Benjamin Collins. It is important to note that all coins from the Collins hoard were of this C-3 variety, which explains why it is the most frequently encountered 1828 marriage in high Mint State grades.

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