1809 C-1 R-4 PCGS XF Details Classic Head Half Cent Coin 1/2c

Description

PCGS authenticated and graded XF Details.
Glossy olive brown with traces of frosty lighter red brown toning in a few of the protected areas on the obverse. There are a half dozen fine nearly vertical hairline scratches down the portrait, most of these are well-hidden in the hair details, as well as a hardly visible speck of oxidation on the lower part of star 7. Otherwise the surfaces are smooth and this half cent offers excellent eye appeal.  Nicely struck MDS, Manley state 2.0, with a clear die crack through the tops of MERICA and the reverse rotated 15 degrees CCW. This is the Breen plate coin for the variety on page 296 in his half cent encyclopedia. Tied for CC#4 honors in the Mike Spurlock census, CC#4 in the Jim McGuigan list, and third finest in the Breen list. This piece tied for second place behind the Missouri Cabinet example at the 2004 EAC Convention Half Cent Happening. A very important example of this rare variety, the toughest variety of the year. Sold for 225 in Whister.
Year - 1809
Variety - C-1
Rarity - 4