1796 Liberty Cap Half Cent. C-2. Rarity-4+. With Pole. Good Details--Environmental Damage (PCGS).Mottled medium brown and deep steel surfaces are fairly glossy, probably due to some long ago effort to neutralize any negative surface characteristics. Though this is undoubtedly a ground find, it isnt at all dull and there is no active corrosion present. Well worn and moderately porous through the fields on both sides. The obverse is pleasantly smooth on much of the portrait and cap, helping these primary features stand out from the fields. Both LIBERTY and the date are complete and sharp. The reverse shows less detail, likely at least in part due to strike, as the softest area is opposite the portrait relief on the obverse. Still, most features can be made out. A couple old scratches extend from the center to 4 oclock on the reverse, though these have toned over well and arent offensive. Despite the issues stated, this little half cent actually has rather nice eye appeal and will readily be accepted into a fine cabinet of early Federal coins. For collectors, the real challenge of the 1796 half cents is acquiring one at all. As is well known, this stands as the toughest date in the series, and many collectors never get one. The scarcity is evidenced by the Civil War-era Edwards Copies of this date, which are particularly well made die-struck pieces. These were sold into the market as fillers, and though it is not known with certainty if the original intent was to deceive, they now enjoy healthy demand for what they are. Offered here is the real thing, one of just 1,390 half cents believed to have been originally struck bearing the date 1796.
