Eric P. Newman Collection, Part II

User Collection Public

3654 Items

Last Updated: 2022-03-24

Eric P. Newman Collection Part II, sold by Heritage Auctions, November 2013, featuring U.S. federal coinage.

Collection Details

Total items: 3654
Size: unknown

Works (3654)

2841. Lot 33423

Description:: 1805/4 50C MS65 NGC. CAC. O-101, R.3. Ex: "Col." E.H.R. Green. Careful examination reveals faint obverse clash marks with no die cracks or polishing lines. The reverse also shows faint clash marks with no other die defects. This amazing Gem has brilliant silver mint luster that shines through the deep golden-brown and iridescent toning on each side. The strike is exquisite and the surfaces are splendid with only a few inconsequential handling marks. Here is an amazing Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle half dollar: a true centerpiece for an extraordinary cabinet. At least two obverse dies were created with the 1804 date, as two different 1805/4 obverse dies are identified today. The O-101 and O-102 varieties are each more plentiful than O-103, but only about 1,000 pieces survive of all three varieties in all different grades. The Eric P. Newman specimen and the Eliasberg specimen, both certified MS65 NGC, are the finest known 1805/4 half dollars. There are also two pieces certified MS65 PCGS according to that firm's population data. We doubt that there are four MS65 1805/4 half dollars in existence as the certified data might suggest. We believe that the Newman and Eliasberg coins are the only two Gem examples known today, and that they are the two finest 1805 half dollars that exist of any variety. When we offered it in August 1998, the Eliasberg specimen was called the finest known 1805/4 half dollar. The coin realized over $100,000 at a time when few coins reached the six figure mark. B. Max Mehl, was fond of writing that the 1805/4 half dollar was "the closest a collector could come to an 1804 half dollar." He was obviously making that statement in an attempt to borrow from the fame and fortune of the 1804 silver dollar. Today, the 1805/4 is well known to collectors and stands on its own as an important numismatic delicacy. Silver deposits were minimal in 1804, as evidenced by the low production of dimes, quarters, and silver dollars (dated 1802 or 1803). There were no half dimes or half dollars minted in 1804, although half dollars were obviously intended. The finest certified 1805 Normal Date half dollars reach the MS63 grade level, making these overdates the finest 1805 half dollars in existence. Ex: "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $40.00; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society. Realized $152,750.00 . Description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, ha.com.

2842. Lot 33422

Description:: 1803 50C Small 3 AU58 NGC. CAC. O-104, R.3. Ex: "Col." E.H.R. Green. A distinct Guide Book variety, the 1803 Small 3 brings a significant premium over its Large 3 brethren. This well struck, virtually uncirculated coin has ample luster, album toning and only minor obverse marks. Lightly toned at the centers, the borders exhibit a patina of deep jade-green and plum-red. Ex: "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $25.00; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society. Realized $17,625.00 . Description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, ha.com.

2843. Lot 33422

Description:: 1803 50C Small 3 AU58 NGC. CAC. O-104, R.3. Ex: "Col." E.H.R. Green. A distinct Guide Book variety, the 1803 Small 3 brings a significant premium over its Large 3 brethren. This well struck, virtually uncirculated coin has ample luster, album toning and only minor obverse marks. Lightly toned at the centers, the borders exhibit a patina of deep jade-green and plum-red. Ex: "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $25.00; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society. Realized $17,625.00 . Description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, ha.com.

2844. Lot 33421

Description:: 1803 50C Large 3 MS61 NGC. O-101, R.3. Ex: "Col." E.H.R. Green. This lovely Mint State piece is one of just eight pieces that NGC has certified as MS60 or finer, for all four die varieties, and only two of those are finer than this example. Both sides have light silver luster at the centers with bands of gold and sea-green toning. The strike is a trifle weak in places, and the cheek and neck show minor slide marks. The 1803 is vastly underrated in Mint State. Type collectors may have their pick of uncirculated coins dated 1806 and 1807. The date collector must look long and hard to find one dated 1803. Following the limited mintage of half dollars in 1801 and 1802, production increased to 188,234 coins in 1803, with that production distributed among four die marriages. All four varieties are approximately equal in rarity, and three of the four are from a single obverse die with a Large 3. Census: 6 in 61, 2 finer (10/13). Ex: "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $20.00; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society. Realized $30,550.00 . Description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, ha.com.

2845. Lot 33420

Description:: 1801 50C MS64 NGC. CAC. O-102, High R.4. Ex: "Col." E.H.R. Green. This Choice Mint State half dollar exhibits satin luster with simply outrageous album toning. A smattering of surface marks are all that prevent an even higher grade. Both sides are beautifully toned. The obverse has gold and amber at the center, changing to sea-green, pale yellow, russet, and lavender nearer the border. The reverse is similar with amber toning inside rings of iridescent cobalt-blue and lemon-yellow. The 1801 O-102 die marriage survives to the extent of about 100 coins, and nearly all of those pieces are circulated examples. In fact, we have never seen nor heard of a Mint State example aside from this piece. The second best that we know of is an AU55 PCGS example that appeared in our 2008 Central States Signature sale. Only two or three other AU examples are known. Possibly three or four Mint State examples of the 1801 O-101 exist today, and the finest of those to appear in any recent auctions grades MS63. The Eric P. Newman specimen is the finest known 1801 half dollar. The Draped Bust obverse made its first appearance on the silver dollars of 1795, and was used for all smaller denominations for the first time in 1796. It is believed that Gilbert Stuart prepared the design from a portrait of Mrs. William Bingham (nee Ann Willing) and that John Eckstein created models for the silver dollar coinage. The design remained in use through 1807, at first with a Small Eagle reverse and later with the Heraldic Eagle reverse, patterned after the Great Seal of the United States. The central figure of Liberty faces to the viewer's right, with the date below, and LIBERTY above. To the left and right are various counts and orientations of stars on the different denominations, dates, and varieties. The Heraldic Eagle reverse made its first appearance on silver coins on dimes and silver dollars in 1798. The eagle has its wings spread with a shield of stripes and crossbars covering its body. The eagle carries a ribbon in its beak inscribed E PLURIBUS UNUM, with the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around. There are 13 (usually) stars above the eagle and eight clouds above the stars. The eagle grasps an olive branch in its left talon to the viewer's right (dexter), and a bundle of arrows (usually 13) in its right talon to the left (sinister). The Heraldic Eagle reverse first appeared on half dollars in 1801 and on quarters in 1804. The design was also used for gold coins as early as 1796 on the quarter eagles, 1797 on the half eagles (some dated 1795 were likely struck in 1798), and 1797 on the eagles. The half dollar coinage of the first two years for the Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle design was intertwined with coins dated 1801 and 1802. Mint records show a production of 30,289 half dollars in 1801 and 29,890 in 1802. There were three die varieties made from two obverse dies and two reverse dies. The 1801-dated obverse die was used for both varieties of 1801, and the 1802-dated obverse die was used for a single 1802 variety. Reverse A of 1801 was used for the majority of coins bearing that date, while reverse B of 1801 was also used with the 1802 obverse. Perhaps 1,000 coins survive for all three varieties with a suggested breakdown of 500 examples of 1801 O-101, 100 examples of 1801 O-102, and 400 examples of 1802 O-101. That estimate suggests that 60% of the combined mintage (36,000) actually carried the 1801 date and 40% (24,000) carried the 1802 date. Ex: "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $90.00; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society. Realized $329,000.00 . Description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, ha.com.

2846. Lot 33420

Description:: 1801 50C MS64 NGC. CAC. O-102, High R.4. Ex: "Col." E.H.R. Green. This Choice Mint State half dollar exhibits satin luster with simply outrageous album toning. A smattering of surface marks are all that prevent an even higher grade. Both sides are beautifully toned. The obverse has gold and amber at the center, changing to sea-green, pale yellow, russet, and lavender nearer the border. The reverse is similar with amber toning inside rings of iridescent cobalt-blue and lemon-yellow. The 1801 O-102 die marriage survives to the extent of about 100 coins, and nearly all of those pieces are circulated examples. In fact, we have never seen nor heard of a Mint State example aside from this piece. The second best that we know of is an AU55 PCGS example that appeared in our 2008 Central States Signature sale. Only two or three other AU examples are known. Possibly three or four Mint State examples of the 1801 O-101 exist today, and the finest of those to appear in any recent auctions grades MS63. The Eric P. Newman specimen is the finest known 1801 half dollar. The Draped Bust obverse made its first appearance on the silver dollars of 1795, and was used for all smaller denominations for the first time in 1796. It is believed that Gilbert Stuart prepared the design from a portrait of Mrs. William Bingham (nee Ann Willing) and that John Eckstein created models for the silver dollar coinage. The design remained in use through 1807, at first with a Small Eagle reverse and later with the Heraldic Eagle reverse, patterned after the Great Seal of the United States. The central figure of Liberty faces to the viewer's right, with the date below, and LIBERTY above. To the left and right are various counts and orientations of stars on the different denominations, dates, and varieties. The Heraldic Eagle reverse made its first appearance on silver coins on dimes and silver dollars in 1798. The eagle has its wings spread with a shield of stripes and crossbars covering its body. The eagle carries a ribbon in its beak inscribed E PLURIBUS UNUM, with the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around. There are 13 (usually) stars above the eagle and eight clouds above the stars. The eagle grasps an olive branch in its left talon to the viewer's right (dexter), and a bundle of arrows (usually 13) in its right talon to the left (sinister). The Heraldic Eagle reverse first appeared on half dollars in 1801 and on quarters in 1804. The design was also used for gold coins as early as 1796 on the quarter eagles, 1797 on the half eagles (some dated 1795 were likely struck in 1798), and 1797 on the eagles. The half dollar coinage of the first two years for the Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle design was intertwined with coins dated 1801 and 1802. Mint records show a production of 30,289 half dollars in 1801 and 29,890 in 1802. There were three die varieties made from two obverse dies and two reverse dies. The 1801-dated obverse die was used for both varieties of 1801, and the 1802-dated obverse die was used for a single 1802 variety. Reverse A of 1801 was used for the majority of coins bearing that date, while reverse B of 1801 was also used with the 1802 obverse. Perhaps 1,000 coins survive for all three varieties with a suggested breakdown of 500 examples of 1801 O-101, 100 examples of 1801 O-102, and 400 examples of 1802 O-101. That estimate suggests that 60% of the combined mintage (36,000) actually carried the 1801 date and 40% (24,000) carried the 1802 date. Ex: "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $90.00; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society. Realized $329,000.00 . Description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, ha.com.

2847. Lot 33419

Description:: 1796 50C 16 Stars MS63 NGC. CAC. O-102, R.5. Ex: "Col." E.H.R. Green. The obverse of this specimen is plated in M.L. Beistle's A Register of Half Dollar Die Varieties and Sub-Varieties. This impressive half dollar is a virtual twin in appearance and toning to the preceding 1796 15 star variety. Both undoubtedly served time together in an album. Specialists remind us that the 16 star variety of 1796 is the scarcer of the two. This Select Mint State example displays reflective surfaces with silver centers that cede to gorgeous golden-brown and iridescent toning near the borders. The satiny surfaces are lustrous and the exquisitely struck design elements are perfectly centered on the planchet. The dentilation is bold on both sides, as are the strands of Liberty's hair and the eagle's wing and tail feathers. Only its breast and legs are not fully struck, a characteristic of virtually all specimens. No adjustment marks are evident on either side. The die crack from the milling between the date and star 1 that joins the first four stars confirms the late state of the obverse die. The reverse crack through the tops of ES in STATES shows clearly, as does that from the rim at 1:30 that travels along the right side of the O in OF then through the palm wreath to the tip of the inner-middle leaf. These were the first and second cracks, respectively, to develop on the reverse die when it was paired with the 1796 15 Stars obverse. The well preserved surfaces reveal just a few trivial marks consistent with the designated grade. We mention a small, mint-made indent in the center of Liberty's cheek solely for pedigree purposes. The 1796 O-102 die marriage is the only one of the four Draped Bust, Small Eagle half dollars to show 16 stars on the obverse. It is uncertain why this obverse has 16 stars and the others all have 15 stars. Kentucky became the 15th state on June 1, 1792, and Tennessee became the 16th state four years later on June 1, 1796. Since all four Draped Bust, Small Eagle half dollar varieties were coined in 1797, they were all struck when the United States consisted of 16 individual states. However, the time of coinage is less important than the time that the dies were actually engraved. We know that certain obverse dies were engraved in advance of their actual use, the engraver placing the first three digits of the date (179_) in the die at the time he first made them. Then, when the time came to actually use the dies, the date was completed by punching in the final digit. We can surmise that the 1796 15 Stars obverse and the 1797 obverse were both engraved prior to the June 1, 1796 admission of Tennessee to the Union. The engraving of the 1796 16 stars obverse die, however, is less clear. Walter Breen, in his 1988 Encyclopedia, writes: "... the 16-star die must have been completed either anticipating or following the celebration of that time." In an effort to narrow the time period that this die may have been engraved, we searched the literature dealing with Tennessee's request for admission as a state. According to Samuel C. Williams in his 1945 The Admission of Tennessee into the Union, the first suggestion in print of the desirability of a new state to replace the Territory South of the River Ohio appeared on the day the Territory's full general assembly met (August 25, 1794) when the editor of the Knoxville Gazette queried: {blockquote}"Would it not be wise in the General Assembly to take measures that this Territory may, as speedily as possible, become a member State of the Federal Union? The people would then ... have a right to vote upon the important question of peace or war against that sanguinary nation - the Creek Indians."{/blockquote} As a first step toward statehood, William Blount, Territorial Governor, signed on November 18, 1795 the results of the census enumeration of the Territory's inhabitants. Subsequently, five members from each of the Territory's 11 counties met at Knoxville on January 11, 1796 to draft a Constitution, which passed unanimously on February 6, 1796. Blount then forwarded a copy of Tennessee's Constitution to U.S. Secretary of State Timothy Pickering on February 9 (J.G.M. Ramsey, The Annals of Tennessee to the end of the 18th Century, 1853). Ramsey further writes that President George Washington sent a message to Congress on April 8: {blockquote}"As proof of the several requisites to entitle the Territory South of the River Ohio, to be admitted, as a State, into the Union, Governor Blount has transmitted a return of the enumeration of its inhabitants, and a printed copy of the Constitution ... which ... are herewith laid before Congress."{/blockquote} On April 12, the House Committee, through its chairman, Mr. Dearborn, reported "... that the State of Tennessee is hereby declared to be one of the 16 United States of America." While Federalist and Jeffersonian factions in Congress continued to debate whether or not Tennessee should be granted statehood (the Federalists wanted to postpone Tennessee's admission until after the presidential election in the following autumn), Williams (1945) writes that Aaron Burr, the Democrat-Republican Senator from New York: {blockquote}"... brought forth ... from conference a majority report in favor of the House bill (which passed by a vote of 48 yeas to 30 nays). The Senate was compelled to recede and pass that bill on May 31, and it was promptly placed before President Washington who approved it on June 1."{/blockquote} Based on the foregoing discussion, we might conjecture (and we hasten to mention it is only conjectural) that the 1796 16 Stars obverse die was engraved prior to Tennessee's June I, 1796 admission to the Union. This notion is derived from what appears to be an early interest in achieving Statehood (the August 1794 Knoxville Gazette editorial), and the series of events that followed (such as the 1795 Territorial census and the January 1796 Constitutional Convention). Assuming the 1796 and 1797 obverse half dollar dies were engraved prior to June 1, 1796 still begs the question why the first delivery of half dollar coinage did not occur until February 28, 1797 under Warrant Number 81. Mint records might provide a clue to answering this question, as they indicate the Mint was apparently busy meeting the request of bullion depositors for other precious-metal coinage. During the first five months of 1796 the following were coined: 22,135 dimes, 16,671 silver dollars, 6,840 half dimes, 4,330 quarter dollars, and 3,699 gold eagles. Additionally, it is possible that the large number of Flowing Hair half dollars minted in 1794-1795 (323,144) may have temporarily sated the demand for this denomination. The Amato study lists 61 different examples of the 1796 16 Stars half dollars, only three of which are described as Mint State. The Eric P. Newman Select Mint State specimen brings the total to 62 known survivors. It is equal to the Eliasberg coin and falls just short of two others. We believe it to be tied for third finest in the census. Ex: "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $700.00; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society. Realized $470,000.00 . Description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, ha.com.

2848. Lot 33419

Description:: 1796 50C 16 Stars MS63 NGC. CAC. O-102, R.5. Ex: "Col." E.H.R. Green. The obverse of this specimen is plated in M.L. Beistle's A Register of Half Dollar Die Varieties and Sub-Varieties. This impressive half dollar is a virtual twin in appearance and toning to the preceding 1796 15 star variety. Both undoubtedly served time together in an album. Specialists remind us that the 16 star variety of 1796 is the scarcer of the two. This Select Mint State example displays reflective surfaces with silver centers that cede to gorgeous golden-brown and iridescent toning near the borders. The satiny surfaces are lustrous and the exquisitely struck design elements are perfectly centered on the planchet. The dentilation is bold on both sides, as are the strands of Liberty's hair and the eagle's wing and tail feathers. Only its breast and legs are not fully struck, a characteristic of virtually all specimens. No adjustment marks are evident on either side. The die crack from the milling between the date and star 1 that joins the first four stars confirms the late state of the obverse die. The reverse crack through the tops of ES in STATES shows clearly, as does that from the rim at 1:30 that travels along the right side of the O in OF then through the palm wreath to the tip of the inner-middle leaf. These were the first and second cracks, respectively, to develop on the reverse die when it was paired with the 1796 15 Stars obverse. The well preserved surfaces reveal just a few trivial marks consistent with the designated grade. We mention a small, mint-made indent in the center of Liberty's cheek solely for pedigree purposes. The 1796 O-102 die marriage is the only one of the four Draped Bust, Small Eagle half dollars to show 16 stars on the obverse. It is uncertain why this obverse has 16 stars and the others all have 15 stars. Kentucky became the 15th state on June 1, 1792, and Tennessee became the 16th state four years later on June 1, 1796. Since all four Draped Bust, Small Eagle half dollar varieties were coined in 1797, they were all struck when the United States consisted of 16 individual states. However, the time of coinage is less important than the time that the dies were actually engraved. We know that certain obverse dies were engraved in advance of their actual use, the engraver placing the first three digits of the date (179_) in the die at the time he first made them. Then, when the time came to actually use the dies, the date was completed by punching in the final digit. We can surmise that the 1796 15 Stars obverse and the 1797 obverse were both engraved prior to the June 1, 1796 admission of Tennessee to the Union. The engraving of the 1796 16 stars obverse die, however, is less clear. Walter Breen, in his 1988 Encyclopedia, writes: "... the 16-star die must have been completed either anticipating or following the celebration of that time." In an effort to narrow the time period that this die may have been engraved, we searched the literature dealing with Tennessee's request for admission as a state. According to Samuel C. Williams in his 1945 The Admission of Tennessee into the Union, the first suggestion in print of the desirability of a new state to replace the Territory South of the River Ohio appeared on the day the Territory's full general assembly met (August 25, 1794) when the editor of the Knoxville Gazette queried: {blockquote}"Would it not be wise in the General Assembly to take measures that this Territory may, as speedily as possible, become a member State of the Federal Union? The people would then ... have a right to vote upon the important question of peace or war against that sanguinary nation - the Creek Indians."{/blockquote} As a first step toward statehood, William Blount, Territorial Governor, signed on November 18, 1795 the results of the census enumeration of the Territory's inhabitants. Subsequently, five members from each of the Territory's 11 counties met at Knoxville on January 11, 1796 to draft a Constitution, which passed unanimously on February 6, 1796. Blount then forwarded a copy of Tennessee's Constitution to U.S. Secretary of State Timothy Pickering on February 9 (J.G.M. Ramsey, The Annals of Tennessee to the end of the 18th Century, 1853). Ramsey further writes that President George Washington sent a message to Congress on April 8: {blockquote}"As proof of the several requisites to entitle the Territory South of the River Ohio, to be admitted, as a State, into the Union, Governor Blount has transmitted a return of the enumeration of its inhabitants, and a printed copy of the Constitution ... which ... are herewith laid before Congress."{/blockquote} On April 12, the House Committee, through its chairman, Mr. Dearborn, reported "... that the State of Tennessee is hereby declared to be one of the 16 United States of America." While Federalist and Jeffersonian factions in Congress continued to debate whether or not Tennessee should be granted statehood (the Federalists wanted to postpone Tennessee's admission until after the presidential election in the following autumn), Williams (1945) writes that Aaron Burr, the Democrat-Republican Senator from New York: {blockquote}"... brought forth ... from conference a majority report in favor of the House bill (which passed by a vote of 48 yeas to 30 nays). The Senate was compelled to recede and pass that bill on May 31, and it was promptly placed before President Washington who approved it on June 1."{/blockquote} Based on the foregoing discussion, we might conjecture (and we hasten to mention it is only conjectural) that the 1796 16 Stars obverse die was engraved prior to Tennessee's June I, 1796 admission to the Union. This notion is derived from what appears to be an early interest in achieving Statehood (the August 1794 Knoxville Gazette editorial), and the series of events that followed (such as the 1795 Territorial census and the January 1796 Constitutional Convention). Assuming the 1796 and 1797 obverse half dollar dies were engraved prior to June 1, 1796 still begs the question why the first delivery of half dollar coinage did not occur until February 28, 1797 under Warrant Number 81. Mint records might provide a clue to answering this question, as they indicate the Mint was apparently busy meeting the request of bullion depositors for other precious-metal coinage. During the first five months of 1796 the following were coined: 22,135 dimes, 16,671 silver dollars, 6,840 half dimes, 4,330 quarter dollars, and 3,699 gold eagles. Additionally, it is possible that the large number of Flowing Hair half dollars minted in 1794-1795 (323,144) may have temporarily sated the demand for this denomination. The Amato study lists 61 different examples of the 1796 16 Stars half dollars, only three of which are described as Mint State. The Eric P. Newman Select Mint State specimen brings the total to 62 known survivors. It is equal to the Eliasberg coin and falls just short of two others. We believe it to be tied for third finest in the census. Ex: "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $700.00; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society. Realized $470,000.00 . Description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, ha.com.

2849. Lot 33418

Description:: 1796 50C 15 Stars MS62 NGC. O-101, R.5. Ex: "Col." E.H.R. Green. Here is an exceptional coin. The album toning displays splashes of gold, brown, electric-blue, and olive through the stars and legend, yielding to semi-brilliant, silvery centers. Both sides exhibit soft satin luster with reflective fields and devices. The strike delivers sharp definition to the design features, including virtually full definition in Liberty's hair and drapery and the eagle's wing and tail plumage. The dentilation is bold, providing an attractive frame to the well centered motifs. A light horizontal adjustment mark midway between Liberty's ear and the neck curl, extending from the jaw into the hair will help identify the coin, as will two similar horizontal file marks on the eagle's breast and a few more on the right (facing) cloud. It is important to note that the referenced marks fail to diminish the bold strike or eye appeal of this impressive piece. The Draped Bust, Small Eagle half dollars of 1796 and 1797 are considered the rarest U.S. silver type coin. Both dates were actually struck in 1797, with Mint records showing deliveries of 60 coins on February 28 (Warrant Number 81), 874 coins on March 21 (Warrant Number 84), and 2,984 coins on May 26 (Warrant Number 90). The total mintage for the entire design was just 3,918 coins. Heritage cataloger and numismatic researcher Jon Amato recently completed his decade long study of this short series, culminating in The Draped Bust Half Dollars of 1796-1797, Numismatic Background and Census, edited by James Halperin and Mark Van Winkle, and published by Heritage Auctions. Remarkably, there are four different die varieties known for that small production. Two are dated 1796 and two others are dated 1797. One variety of 1796 has 15 stars on the obverse and the other has 16 stars. Both 1797 varieties have 15 stars. The Amato study records 270 surviving examples of the four varieties, and coincidentally, he lists exactly 135 specimens of each year. However, the Eric P. Newman coins do not appear in his census, so the total for 1796 half dollars is now increased to 137 different coins. The nearly identical total number of surviving specimens suggests that the original mintage may have been nearly equal for coins bearing the two dates, or 1,959 coins dated 1796 and 1,959 coins dated 1797. The finest surviving examples of the 1796 O-101 die marriage include nine pieces that Amato calls Mint State. Two of those pieces are called Specimen strikes, and four others are marginally finer than the Newman specimen. The Newman coin now joins the elite group of 10 surviving Mint State 1796 half-dollars. Ex: "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $600.00; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society. Realized $282,000.00 . Description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, ha.com.

2850. Lot 33418

Description:: 1796 50C 15 Stars MS62 NGC. O-101, R.5. Ex: "Col." E.H.R. Green. Here is an exceptional coin. The album toning displays splashes of gold, brown, electric-blue, and olive through the stars and legend, yielding to semi-brilliant, silvery centers. Both sides exhibit soft satin luster with reflective fields and devices. The strike delivers sharp definition to the design features, including virtually full definition in Liberty's hair and drapery and the eagle's wing and tail plumage. The dentilation is bold, providing an attractive frame to the well centered motifs. A light horizontal adjustment mark midway between Liberty's ear and the neck curl, extending from the jaw into the hair will help identify the coin, as will two similar horizontal file marks on the eagle's breast and a few more on the right (facing) cloud. It is important to note that the referenced marks fail to diminish the bold strike or eye appeal of this impressive piece. The Draped Bust, Small Eagle half dollars of 1796 and 1797 are considered the rarest U.S. silver type coin. Both dates were actually struck in 1797, with Mint records showing deliveries of 60 coins on February 28 (Warrant Number 81), 874 coins on March 21 (Warrant Number 84), and 2,984 coins on May 26 (Warrant Number 90). The total mintage for the entire design was just 3,918 coins. Heritage cataloger and numismatic researcher Jon Amato recently completed his decade long study of this short series, culminating in The Draped Bust Half Dollars of 1796-1797, Numismatic Background and Census, edited by James Halperin and Mark Van Winkle, and published by Heritage Auctions. Remarkably, there are four different die varieties known for that small production. Two are dated 1796 and two others are dated 1797. One variety of 1796 has 15 stars on the obverse and the other has 16 stars. Both 1797 varieties have 15 stars. The Amato study records 270 surviving examples of the four varieties, and coincidentally, he lists exactly 135 specimens of each year. However, the Eric P. Newman coins do not appear in his census, so the total for 1796 half dollars is now increased to 137 different coins. The nearly identical total number of surviving specimens suggests that the original mintage may have been nearly equal for coins bearing the two dates, or 1,959 coins dated 1796 and 1,959 coins dated 1797. The finest surviving examples of the 1796 O-101 die marriage include nine pieces that Amato calls Mint State. Two of those pieces are called Specimen strikes, and four others are marginally finer than the Newman specimen. The Newman coin now joins the elite group of 10 surviving Mint State 1796 half-dollars. Ex: "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $600.00; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society. Realized $282,000.00 . Description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, ha.com.