Torres Half Cent Collection

EARLY CENTS

LOT 23 1796 C-1 R6 No Pole, VF25 PCGS. Slightly glossy dark olive brown and chocolate. The surfaces are decent and appear smooth to the unaided eye, buy there are traces of microscopic roughness on the both sides. The roughness is not distracting but it does reduce the natural gloss. There is no verdigris, and the only notable contact marks are a sharp rim nick left of the bottom of the cap, a minor rim bruise under the 79, and a tick under the chin. The date is bold and the legends are strong, including HALF CENT. The bisecting obverse die crack is prominent, especially in the field before the mouth. A wonderful mid-grade of this classic rarity. Listed as “About Very Fine” and Condition census #4 in the Breen-Hanson condition census in the 1983 Breen encyclopedia (page 160). Our grade is net F15+ , at the lower end of the current condition census for the variety. Weight 79.6 grains. Plated in the 1916 Gilbert half cent reference (Plate 1, obverse only) and in Wayte Raymond’s Standard Catalog to illustrate the 1796 No Pole variety. Comes with a long, distinguished provenance, as you might expect for such an important coin. A highlight of this (or any) advanced collection of “The Little Half Sisters.” Comes with a wonderful provenance. 35095.25/43764919 $350,000 Ex David Proskey (privately)-Hillyer Ryder-Ryder Estate 1928-Wayte Raymond 12/1944-New Netherlands Coin Co #44, 6/23/1954:275-Mrs. R. Henry Norweb, Bowers & Merena 10/1987:22-John Whitney Walter (via Stack’s)-James R. McGuigan 7/1993-Ray.Rouse, McCawley & Grellman Auctions/ Goldbergs 9/14/2008:31-Russ Butcher (via Chris McCawley) 9/7/2022-The J. Torres Collection of Half Cents

FIXED PRICE LIST

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