1828 1/2C C-1, 13 Stars, BN MS62BN Certification #29420781, PCGS #35258

Charles Morgan

1828 Draped Bust Half Cent, Cohen-1

Eckberg 3-C. Breen-1. Guide Book variety (along with Cohen-3): “13 Stars.” Rarity-1.

This variety features the 13 Stars (7×6) arrangement and a closely spaced date. The 1828 obverse is paired with the re-used Reverse B of 1826. While Roger S. Cohen, Jr. sequenced this coin as the first die marriage of the year based on the reused reverse die, specialist Bill Eckberg argues otherwise. Eckberg contends the Mint likely used the older reverse die only after exhausting the new 1828 dies, placing this marriage as the third produced. This die marriage is the least common of the 1828 varieties.

Diagnostic pickup points include:

• Star 2: Significant repunching on the tip of the star.
• Lettering: "HALF CENT" appears outlined.
• Wreath: Long spines extend from the tips of the leaves on the left side of the wreath.

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