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

Series: Classic Head Half Cents 1809-1835

PCGS MS65RD

PCGS MS65RD

View More Images

PCGS MS64+RD

PCGS MS64+RD

PCGS MS64RD

PCGS MS64RD

PCGS #:
35263
Designer:
John Reich
Edge:
Plain
Diameter:
23.50 millimeters
Weight:
5.44 grams
Mintage:
606,000
Mint:
Philadelphia
Metal:
Copper
Current Auctions - PCGS Graded
Current Auctions - NGC Graded
For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - PCGS Graded
For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - NGC Graded

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos Grade Image Pedigree and History
1 PCGS MS65RD

"The Louis E. Eliasberg Collection," Bowers & Merena, May 1996, Lot 440; "The Red Headed Copper Collection," Heritage Auctions, August 19, 2018, Lot 5033 - $18,000"The High Desert Collection" (PCGS Set Registry).  C-3. 

1 PCGS MS65RD

As NGC MS65RD #1951298-001. Bowers and Merena, August 2006, Lot 62. Misattributed on the insert as C-1; “The Joseph C. Thomas Collection,” Heritage Auctions, April 30, 2009, Lot 2024 – $10,925. As NGC MS65RD #3260299-001. Heritage Auctions, May 31, 2012, Lot 3053 – $10,925. As PCGS MS65RD #25248112. Dell Loy Hansen; "The D.L. Hansen Half Cents & Cents/Major Varieties and Proof (1793-Present) Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). C-3.

3 PCGS MS64+RD

Stack’s, June 2005, Lot 1006; “The James R. McGuigan Collection,” Heritage Auctions, August 22, 2022, Lot 3097 – $15,600; "The Halfcenter Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). C-3.

4 PCGS MS64RD

"The Temecula Collection, Part Two," Heritage Auctions, May 1, 2007, Lot 112 - $4,600"The J&J and R&R Gobrecht's Raisinet Collection," Heritage Auctions, January 14, 2024, Lot 3065 - $4,080"Golbrecht's Raisinet Collecftion" (PCGS Set Registry). C-3.

4 PCGS MS64RD

Howard Rounds Newcomb, privately in 1935; B. Max Mehl, privately in 1935; “Colonel” E.H.R. Green, June 8, 1936; The Green Estate, to Eric P. Newman and B.G. Johnson (as St. Louis Coin & Stamp), April 1943, $30.01; The Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society; “The Missouri Cabinet Collection,” Goldberg Auctioneers, January 2014, Lot 115 - $25,300. As PCGS MS64RD #40276025. “The Bob R. Simpson Collection, Part IV,” Heritage Auctions, February 23, 2021, Lot 3001 – $9,600. C-3.

4 PCGS MS64RD

"The ESM Collection," Stack's Bowers, March 25, 2020, Lot 3041 - $3,000; Stack's Bowers, August 11, 2020, Lot 2283 - $3,000"The Calvin Appleton (1828-1898) Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). C-3.

7 PCGS MS63RD
#1 PCGS MS65RD

"The Louis E. Eliasberg Collection," Bowers & Merena, May 1996, Lot 440; "The Red Headed Copper Collection," Heritage Auctions, August 19, 2018, Lot 5033 - $18,000"The High Desert Collection" (PCGS Set Registry).  C-3. 

#1 PCGS MS65RD

As NGC MS65RD #1951298-001. Bowers and Merena, August 2006, Lot 62. Misattributed on the insert as C-1; “The Joseph C. Thomas Collection,” Heritage Auctions, April 30, 2009, Lot 2024 – $10,925. As NGC MS65RD #3260299-001. Heritage Auctions, May 31, 2012, Lot 3053 – $10,925. As PCGS MS65RD #25248112. Dell Loy Hansen; "The D.L. Hansen Half Cents & Cents/Major Varieties and Proof (1793-Present) Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). C-3.

#3 PCGS MS64+RD

Stack’s, June 2005, Lot 1006; “The James R. McGuigan Collection,” Heritage Auctions, August 22, 2022, Lot 3097 – $15,600; "The Halfcenter Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). C-3.

#4 PCGS MS64RD

"The Temecula Collection, Part Two," Heritage Auctions, May 1, 2007, Lot 112 - $4,600"The J&J and R&R Gobrecht's Raisinet Collection," Heritage Auctions, January 14, 2024, Lot 3065 - $4,080"Golbrecht's Raisinet Collecftion" (PCGS Set Registry). C-3.

#4 PCGS MS64RD

Howard Rounds Newcomb, privately in 1935; B. Max Mehl, privately in 1935; “Colonel” E.H.R. Green, June 8, 1936; The Green Estate, to Eric P. Newman and B.G. Johnson (as St. Louis Coin & Stamp), April 1943, $30.01; The Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society; “The Missouri Cabinet Collection,” Goldberg Auctioneers, January 2014, Lot 115 - $25,300. As PCGS MS64RD #40276025. “The Bob R. Simpson Collection, Part IV,” Heritage Auctions, February 23, 2021, Lot 3001 – $9,600. C-3.

#4 PCGS MS64RD

"The ESM Collection," Stack's Bowers, March 25, 2020, Lot 3041 - $3,000; Stack's Bowers, August 11, 2020, Lot 2283 - $3,000"The Calvin Appleton (1828-1898) Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). C-3.

#7 PCGS MS63RD
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.

* * *