Rarity: Common

Variety Equivalents: Breen 3

Notes:
Only twelve stars appear on the obverse of this variety.  The reason for the omission of the thirteenth star is unknown, but was most likely due to carelessness.

This was the only use of the obverse die.

Images courtesy of Bill Eckberg

Recent appearances:
NGC MS-64 Brown.  Ex - Heritage Numismatic Auction's "Central States Signature Sale", April 5-6, 2001, Lot 5633

PCGS MS-63 Brown.  Ex - W.K. Raymond (purchased at the Jack Tar show in February 1974 for $450.00) - Ricky Gross (sold as part of the "Baltimore Collection" on February 14, 1983, priced at $4,500.00) - Dr. Wallace Lee - Superior Galleries "Pre-Long Beach" Elite Coin Auction, May 25-27, 2003, Lot 297, sold for $4,140.00 - New Jersey collector

PCGS AU-58.  Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.'s "The Benson Collection - Part I", February 16, 18-20, 2001, Lot 216, "Del Bland graded EF-45", illustrated, sold for $460.00  Ex James G. Macallister 6/7/44 at $2.00

PCGS AU-58. Ex - Bowers and Merena Galleries "The Rarities Sale, Orlando", January 8, 2002, Lot 13, "B-3, C-2, 12 stars.  From the Dr. Roy Sturgeon Collection," illustrated, sold for $403.00

AU-55.  Ex - Coin Galleries, July 1982, Lot 1214 - Stack's "65th Anniversary Sale", October 17-19, 2000, Lot 38, not illustrated, sold for $402.50

Del Bland AU-55.  Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coin & Collectibles' "The Fairchild Family Trust Collection Sale", May 28-30, 2001, Lot 119, illustrated, sold for $1,323.00

Del Bland graded EF-40.  Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.'s "The Benson Collection - Part I", February 16, 18-20, 2001, Lot 217, not illustrated, sold for $195.00

Sources and/or recommended reading:
"American Half Cents - The 'Little Half Sisters' (Second Edition)" by Roger S. Cohen, Jr.

"Walter Breen's Encyclopedia of United States Half Cents 1793-1857" by Walter Breen

Relevant collector organizations:
Early American Coppers Club