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Description

Desirable High-Grade 1793 C-1 Half Cent

1793 1/2 C AU55 PCGS. C-1, B-1, R.4. The C-1 variety is considered by most specialists to be the first 1793 half cent struck, according to die state and emission sequence analysis. Four varieties are known for the 1793 half cents, and they were produced in an unbroken chain consisting of two obverse and three reverse dies. The total mintage for the year was 35,334 coins, all produced during the summer 1793, beginning on July 20. Walter Breen made a case for Adam Eckfeldt as the designer of these coins, although other specialists have disputed such an attribution. It is not known who actually prepared the design and the dies for these first half cents, although it may have been Joseph Wright, who designed the Liberty Cap large cents two months later.
At the time, half cents and large cents were not actually legal tender issues, a status reserved for silver and gold coins that were first produced in the following year. Section 16 of the Mint Act of April 2, 1792 specifically stated: "That all the gold and silver coins which shall have been struck at, and issued from the said mint, shall be a lawful tender in all payments whatsoever, those of full weight according to the respective values herein before declared, and those of less than full weight at values proportional to their respective weights."
This example is a lovely dark olive piece with glossy surfaces and only a trace of rub on the high points. The surfaces have light planchet striations or rifts as struck. In addition, a few post-mint abrasions are evident, but clearly not significant. EAC 40.
From The Troy Wiseman Collection.(Registry values: P8)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 2222, PCGS# 1000, GSID# 429)

Metal: 100% Copper
Weight: 6.74 grams
Weight: 0.23775oz
Mintage: 35,334


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Auction Info

Auction Dates
September, 2006
13th-16th Wednesday-Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 12
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,210

Buyer's Premium per Lot:
15% of the successful bid per lot.

Sold on Sep 13, 2006 for: $43,125.00
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