1795 C-5a R3 No Pole, Thin Planchet EF40+. Glossy olive brown and steel with frosty lighter brown and chocolate toning in the protected areas. The surfaces are smooth and virtually flawless except for some very tiny planchet chips, as struck, in the left obverse field and at D-ST on the reverse. The strike was uneven, strong everywhere except where the chips are located (normally these natural planchet flaws or chips "strike out" and disappear when a half cent is properly struck). The remainder of the fields are hard and very slightly reflective. Obviously this piece would rate a higher grade if the strike was evenly balanced. EDS with the reverse rotated 20 degrees CCW. The bisecting die crack slanting across the upper reverse is clear but not strong (an uncracked example is unknown). Weight 77.7 grains. Davy #95.5a.3.
Estimated Value $4,000-UP.
Ex Philip M. Showers (Stack's privately 1969)-Willis I. duPont-Fred Werner (from New York, also known as Freddie Werner) 2/20/1977-Larry Goldberg 2/22/1977-Joe Flynn 4/26/1977. (Note: There is a story that comes with this provenance. In Larry Goldberg's own words, "I bought the deal from Fred Werner of New York. Fred was at our February 1977 auction and he showed the Showers collection to us prior to the auction. I remember looking at the coins and by the time I finished looking at the 1797 half cents I decided to buy the collection. The coins were spectacular. The 1796 half cents were the best I have ever seen. I then saw Joe Flynn during lot viewing a day or so later and showed him this great half cent collection. He was shown the coins an hour before our US session in the back of the store on 7th Street. I quoted Joe a price and he bought the deal after looking at only half the collection. We bought the collection to make an auction sale; however it was sold to Joe.").
Selections from the Davy Collection of US Half Cents Part 2
