1792 1C Washington Getz Pattern Cent, Small Eagle, Copper XF40 PCGS....

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Important XF 1792 Getz Cent
Copper, Baker-25, Small Eagle

1792 1C Washington Getz Pattern Cent, Small Eagle, Copper XF40 PCGS. Baker-25, W-10775, R.6. 32 mm, plain edge. The dies for this well executed pattern cent were engraved by Peter Getz of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Getz based his designs on those of young Birmingham, England engraver John Gregory Hancock, specifically his 1791 Small Eagle cent (Baker-16). The reverse legend was changed from ONE CENT to UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, since silver strikings were intended, perhaps to serve as a half dollar, as suggested by Walter Breen. The reverse for this design replicates the Great Seal. It is believed that the coins were actually struck in Harper's coachhouse on 6th Street in Philadelphia. This historic structure housed the U.S. Mint's machinery in 1792 before the first Mint building was occupied. This building was also the location for the striking of the 1792 half dismes.
This piece shows lovely chocolate-brown patina. The only planchet flaw of any note is an angling depression from the first T in STATES down through star 1 and beyond. Post-strike flaws that are worthy of note are a diagonal mark across Washington's temple and three tiny rim nicks, two at the 6 o'clock position and one at 7 o'clock, all convenient markers for pedigree tracing. According to the 1999 Rulau-Fuld revision of the classic Baker reference, circa 30 pieces are known for Baker-25.
Silver pieces were also struck from the dies with various edge designs, as were large flan (36 mm) copper pieces. Breen speculated that this coinage was completed prior to December 21, 1791, despite the date, in order to have examples available for Robert Morris to pass out as samples to congressmen when his coinage bill was introduced. However, Washington disapproved of presidential portraits on U.S. coins, which he considered monarchical, and congressional legislation to establish the United States Mint was modified to instead use "a device emblematic of liberty." This bill was passed and signed into law by President Washington on April 2, 1792. Population: 1 in 40, 3 finer (3/09).
Ex: Denver Signature (Heritage, 8/2006), lot 5015, which realized $43,125.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 2B7B, PCGS# 921, GSID# 269)

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