The un-official 1795 Small Head Half Dollar Picture Library

pcgs69

Below are pictures of various 1795 Small Head Half dollars that I've found on from sellers and auction houses. Please let me know if I need to remove any photos due to the fact not all of these photos are mine. I'll add and tweak as time passes. Really really short descriptions to come soon.



1795 O-128 PCGS VG10. Last sold 2007 in Private transaction.









1795 O-128 ANACS VG10.







1795 O-126 ANACS AG3







1795 O-126 PCGS F12 Silver Plug





1795 O-126 PCGS F15 HLRC.com April 2008. Asking Price $7,500, unknown sale amount.





1795 O-126 PCGS VG08, last sold on HLRC.com, asking price $4800. Currently owned by a forum member





1795 O-126 PCGS VG10. Sold 2008 by HLRC.com Small triangular planchet defect both obv and rev.

I believe asking price was $4500









1795 O-126 PCGS VG10 photo from Heritage Archives







1795 O-126 PCGS VG08. Last sold in 2007 for about $2200











1795 O-126a was ICG F12, now PCGS VG10. Sold by HLRC.com May/June 2008

Asking price was about $6,000







Turned into PCGS VG10





1795 O-126a NGC AU55. Photo from Heritage archives.







1795 O-126a NGC VG10. Photo from Heritage archives.







1795 O-126a PCGS VF35. Sold Heritage FUN Jan. 2008 to Premium Numismatics.

Premium numismatics had for sale for about $21,000-$22,000.









November 13, 2008 1795 O-126a PCGS VF35 HLRC.com





Added July 16, 2008 1795 O-126 PCGS G06. HLRC.com Asking price $3500





1795 O-127 PCGS F15. Sold by Heritage January 2008.

Showing up as PCGS VF20 in The January 2010 Orlando Rarities Sale Session One

from Bowers and Merena. Lot 351.









1795 O-127 PCGS F12. Was for sale by HRLC around August 2008







1795 O-127 PCGS VG10. For sale by HLRC.com Currently asking $8,500 (July 1, 2008)





1795 O-127 PCGS F12. Photos from Heritage archives











1795 O-128 PCGS VG10 Heritage November 2008 auction.











1795 O-128 NGC F15 from Heritage archives. Sold January 26, 2006 for $3737.50







1795 O-128 PCGS F15. Sold Jan. 2008 Heritage. HLRC.com then had for sale









1795 O-128 PCGS G04. For sale HLRC.com aprox. May '08 for $3250





1795 O-128 PCGS VG08. Last sold by HLRC.com 2008





1795 O-128 PCGS VG10. Sold by Alpine Numismatics





1795 O-128 PCGS VG10







1795 O-127a. December 2007 eBay auction. Sold for $4550.







1795 O-128 PCGS F12. Heritage April 2008 Sold for $4887.50











1795 O-128 PCGS VG10. Sold by Heritage, Currently on HLRC.com for $6250 (July 1, 2008)











1795 O-127a PCGS VG10. Sold by Bowers and Merena, then by Heritage, now on Dickosburn.com for $9,750











1795 O-127a PCGS VG10. Sold Heritage 2008











November 13, 2008 1795 O-128 PCGS VG10. JJTeaparty Asking $5,600 (was previously on HLRC.com)







November 13, 2008 1795 O-128 PCGS VG08 HLRC.com





Others without pics:



1795 O-128 NGC VG08. Sold by Jack Beymer 2007. Asking price - in my term "crazy low" about $1850



1795 O-127 ANACS AG3. Currently (July 1, 2008) on Dickosburn.com for $2,900. Description reads "The reverse is full G4, but the obverse has a little bit too much wear around the rims for that grade. Old light brown tone. No notable marks. A nice example of this incredibly rare variety for a budget-minded set"



1795 O-126 PCI VF20. Currently on Dickosburn for $3,950. Description reads "Problem-free, though it's problem had an old light cleaning. Now nicely retoned. Several adjustment marks on the figure. A nice example of this hard-to-find variety "





Only touched below images 6/11/16. Haven't touched above since probably 2008.

STONE

Great images of those shrunken heads

I can't wait for the short descriptions

RWB

Do any have central plugs like some of the dollars?

STONE

<< <i>Do any have central plugs like some of the dollars? >>


The one with the obverse double plan flaw (near the top) looks like it has something like that.

pcgs69

<< <i>

<< <i>Do any have central plugs like some of the dollars? >>


The one with the obverse double plan flaw (near the top) looks like it has something like that. >>



Yes, that's the only one I've come across, maybe some more experienced collectors can show more examples. That one was from an older Stacks auction.

firstmint

Could someone let me know which Stack's sale the laminated and plugged 1795 half appeared in?

Also, what die variety it is, and if there is a picture available of the reverse?

Thanks.

PreTurb

Firstmint,

The 1795 O.126 half with the silver plug and planchet laminations (obverse shown above) first appeared in the Superior July 27-28 2003 auction, where the obverse and reverse are both shown. I don't have the catalog or PRL in front of me at the moment, but as I recall, the consigner wanted "moon money" and I'm not sure it was sold.

PreTurb

I had the pleasure of holding the 1795 O.126a half (shown above in a PCGS-35 holder) several years ago before it was slabbed - and it was/is a wonderful piece.

numisma

<< <i>Firstmint,

The 1795 O.126 half with the silver plug and planchet laminations (obverse shown above) first appeared in the Superior July 27-28 2003 auction, where the obverse and reverse are both shown. I don't have the catalog or PRL in front of me at the moment, but as I recall, the consigner wanted "moon money" and I'm not sure it was sold. >>



The coin did not sell in the July 2003 auction. Here's the lot description from the Superior catalog:

firstmint

Pre Turb and numisma -

Many thanks for the information.

Even though it was promotionally described as being "the only certified" example, my research shows that there are other 1795 halves known with the plug (as was subjectively mentioned), the earliest plated example being the one in the May 1965 CSNA catalogue by John Cobb.

Being that old of a sale (pre-Overton) it was catalogued as a Beistle 7K.

LanLord

hokey smokes bullwinkle, thats a lot of old half bucks

PreTurb

Yes, it seems like a lot of half buck (pictures), but I'd venture to say there are fewer than 125 total coins in existance (Overton 126, 127, 128 combined). That is, existing above water and above ground. And, like most early silver coinage, nearly impossible to find in nice unmolested condition. I love the thread - thanks PCGS69!

JRocco

This is a great post.
Just looking at some of these old gals is a treat.
Thanks for putting all the effort into this that you obviously did.

stman

Good thread that I almost missed. I'm pleased to own one example of the small head.


<< <i>I'd venture to say there are fewer than 125 total coins in existance (Overton 126, 127, 128 combined). >>



Pre turb, do you think the latest update of rarity ratings is still correct? Thanks.

RWB

My opinion, as discussed with QDB years ago, is that the mint did not drill out a hole and insert a plug. I suspect that underweight blanks simply had a hole made using an awl or similar punch. A plug of the necessary weight was then forced into the hole, and the blank given a whack with a hammer to hold the plug in place until the coin was struck. What we lack, is written documentation on this process and examples of failed plugs. As to be expected, the mint melted its failures and distributed the successes.

numisma

<< <i>My opinion, as discussed with QDB years ago, is that the mint did not drill out a hole and insert a plug. I suspect that underweight blanks simply had a hole made using an awl or similar punch. A plug of the necessary weight was then forced into the hole, and the blank given a whack with a hammer to hold the plug in place until the coin was struck. What we lack, is written documentation on this process and examples of failed plugs. As to be expected, the mint melted its failures and distributed the successes. >>



Karl Moulton's recent book regarding Henry Voigt includes an excerpt from a January 8, 1793 edition of the Boston newspaper, Argus:

"It is proposed by some person connected with the Mint of the United States, in order to make the real value of the copper coinage equal to the nominal, and, at the same time, reduce the piece to a convenient size, to introduce a Silver Stud of a certain size in the coin, though a hole in its centre, and after this operation, to coin it so that the silver shall bear part of the impression. The idea is certainly ingenious, and the improvement, it is said, is not difficult of execution, nor does it increase [sic] the labour in any material degree."

I am intrigued by the implication of simplicity regarding the incorporation of the silver plug into the planchet. Too bad the writer did not go into greater detail on the process. Regarding the idea of hammering the plug in place, I don't think that was the case. Using the 1792 J-2 pattern cent (silver cent), the plug is perfectly centered and does not extend beyond the hole. If a plug were hammered, then it would not be perfectly round. Of course some silver plugged dollars that I have seen do show the plug as an out-of-round shape. Maybe different processes between the 1792 patterns and the 1795 silver plug coinage?

firstmint

I have been studying the known silver plug silver coins and have found that there was no pre-determined side as to which the tapered plug was inserted, as both the reverse and the obverse show the larger, more rounded surface of the plug.

What is interesting to me is that the silver-center cents appear to have a virtually even sized hole in the planchet. Two of these blank planchets are shown in Frank Stewart's 1924 book on the First U S Mint.

However, the larger silver halves and dollars used a tapered hole drilled through the center of the planchet, again as evidenced by the larger, flattened area on one side or the other.

From what I have gathered so far, most of the silver plugged blank planchets have visible problems, such as extensive hand filing, laminations, etc. There are none seen with clipped planchets.

This indicates that the planchets were originally punched out and close to being usable, they were simply not up to proper weight. This theory has been around for a few decades, so it isn't anything new.

The one 1795 half dollar that I mentioned earlier that was in the 1965 John Cobb sale had a lot description that read "Reverse has flat spot and Obverse with small ding in center". This may have been a "test piece" for the half dollar denomination, as the small ding might have been done at the Mint at the time of manufacture to see if it would stay in place. It's only a theory, but the surfaces do appear to be original in the plate.

Another item I thought was quite intriquing, is that in his February 25, 1939 sale #122, lot 167, M H Bolender catalogued a 1795 dollar as "Has been holed in center, but skillfully plugged so that it barely shows" .

Bolender didn't miss them, he just didn't know they were Mint made!

pcgs69

Been forever since I've updated this. Never was really complete to begin with, but found a few more online recently and wanted to add them.



Note: I don't own any of these, don't know who owns any of them now, and am not promoting any seller who has any for sale. Just trying to get a picture record of any Small Head half I come across.

grip

Great post. Thanks....
A

lkeigwin

Here are a couple more that passed through my hands.

Lance.

topstuf

Your research indicates that these coins were used.



and used

and used

and used





For a looooonnnnnngggggg time.

lkeigwin

Originally posted by: topstuf

Your research indicates that these coins were used.



and used

and used

and used





For a looooonnnnnngggggg time.

Indeed. 92% of those PCGS graded are VF and lower (45 of 49). A single MS exists, three AU's and no XF's.



These didn't sit in bank vaults like so many capped bust halves.

Lance.

carabonnair

Nice pair!

Here's one of mine

pcgs69

Thank you for posting yours!

grip

Would this be a small head?

kaz

Cool thread!

I have this one, in an old NCG slab marked cleaned (looks like an old wipe to me) and not attributed on the holder; O-126a? (maybe)







Is this a Redbook variety, yet?

carabonnair

Here's my other one O-128







Willy! Did you scratch your initial on my half dollar?

carabonnair

And then there was this one that appeared on ebay recently. To the lister's credit, they admitted it is not a small head despite PCGS' assertion. It's actually a pretty nice O-105a.

BIGAL2749

You have already posted an image of the obverse of mine but here in an image of both sides

[URL=http://s306.photobucket.com/user/bigal2749/media/house/2126226520full_zpsp1wm7uzh.jpg.html][/URL]+

ricko

Beautiful old coins... that AU55 really stands out... Cheers, RickO

metalmeister

Thanks for sharing. I like the AU55.

WinLoseWin

Here is the only known Unc, the Oswald coin sold by Stack's Bowers in the Pogue Part 1 auction May 2015:





https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/1-1DMTC

CircCam

Enjoying this coin tonight and didn’t see it in the thread, figured I would add to the list. Can’t find any info on its provenance but one of my favorites.

pcgs69

That's a real beauty. Thank you for adding it to the list!