1796 Half Dol (PCGS; VF25; 16 Stars; Unattributed on old Green Holder)

1796 16 Stars Half Dollar, VF25
The Frontenac Specimen, O-102

1796 50C 16 Stars, O-102, T-2, High R.5, VF25 PCGS. CAC. Amato-216. The light gray surfaces of this VF25 Small Eagle half dollar exhibit well-defined design features. Considerable detail is apparent on Liberty's hair strands, eye, and drapery folds, and the eagle's wing and tail feathers, the clouds, and palm and laurel wreath. The dentilation shows clearly over both sides and the devices are well-centered on the planchet. A thin diagonal toning streak from the tip of the right (facing) wing to the rim at 5:30 identifies the coin, as does a mark on the cloud beneath the left (facing) wing. The die crack from the rim through stars 1 to 4 that is seen on about one-third of the known surviving 1796 16 Stars specimens is absent on this piece. Housed in an old green label holder.

Variety: O-102, High R.5. The 1796 16 Stars was the second obverse paired with Overton's Reverse A. 

Population Data (7/16): PCGS has seen four submissions in VF25 and 12 coins finer. The present coin was given a sticker by CAC as were two pieces grading higher.

Commentary: The 1796 O-102 die marriage is the only one of the four Draped Bust Small Eagle half dollars to show 16 stars. Walter Breen (1988) writes: "... the 16-star die must have been completed either anticipating or following the the celebration at that time" (Tennessee's June 1, 1796 admission to the Union). Contemporary evidence in newspapers (such as an August 25, 1794 editorial in the Knoxville Gazette calling for statehood), along with the 1795 results of a census enumeration, suggest that the 1796 16 Stars obverse die was likely engraved several months prior to Tennessee's June 1, 1796 admission.

Provenance: Paramount (8/1974), lot 98; Kensington Collection (Bowers and Ruddy, 12/1975), lot 480; Frontenac Sale (Bowers and Merena, 11/1991), lot 3017.
From The Hamilton Collection. (NGC ID# 24EA, Variety PCGS# 39262, Base PCGS# 6058)