1796 Edwards Copy, Low R.7, MS67 Red and Brown PCGS. Our EAC Grade MS65. ...

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1796 Half Cent Copy, MS67 Red and Brown
The Francis Edwards 19th-Century Production

1796 Edwards Copy, Low R.7, MS67 Red and Brown PCGS. Our EAC Grade MS65. Equivalents. See Richard D. Kenney, "Struck Copies of Early American Coins," The Coin Collector's Journal, Volume 19: number 1 (January-February 1952), page 11.
Rarity. Low R.7, or possibly High R.6. We believe that about a dozen examples of this 19th-century copy exist. PCGS reports the certification of nine examples. Contemporary accounts state that only 12 examples were preserved following Francis Edwards' death in 1865.
Obverse. This obverse is not deceiving to any student of the series. The tall letters in LIBERTY are closely spaced compared to the original. The digits in the date are also larger and closer to the bust. Liberty's portrait is crude with an enlarged jaw and chin. The facial features differ from the genuine, as does the hair treatment. The Liberty cap has pronounced wrinkles that are not seen on the genuine 1796 half cents. The border dentils are longer than those on the genuine With Pole obverse.
Reverse. The left branch has 18 leaves and four berries. The right branch has 16 leaves and three berries. The wreath layout is nearly the same as the original but the leaf positions are different, and all seven berries are on exaggerated stems. There are two leaves right of HALF, compared to three on the original die. The letters in the legend are larger than on the genuine reverse. The fraction is low and the right ribbon end is above the level of the fraction bar. Like the obverse, this reverse has long border dentils.
Edge. Plain.
Surfaces. An amazing Superb Gem, this Edwards copy has lustrous olive-brown surfaces with substantial original red color displayed on both sides. Wispy blue overtones enhance the eye appeal.
Die State. No die state data is available for the 1796 Edwards copy.
Appearances. No previous illustrations of this piece are known.
PCGS Population. Only two of the nine 1796 Edwards copies that PCGS has certified are designated as Red and Brown coins, and both are certified as MS67. Jim McGuigan owned the other coin that he sold into the Missouri Cabinet indicating that he chose this coin as the one to keep for his collection.
Commentary. Many collectors consider the 1796 Edwards copy an integral part of a half cent collection, much as the 1837 half cent-denominated Hard Times token is also included in many half cent collections. Budget-minded collectors are pleased that this copy exists as a more affordable example for date collections. In fact, that is the reason that Dr. Edwards produced these coins.
McGuigan Commentary. Superb lustrous mint red and brown surfaces. Finest known of approximately a dozen recorded.
Provenance. Ex: Bruce Lorich (6/1999). Possibly Ex: F.C.C. Boyd (World's Greatest Collection, Numismatic Gallery, 5/1945), lot 336.
Personality. Francis Smith Edwards is identified as the manufacturer of these collectible copies. He was born in Norwich, England on June 2, 1826, and died the day before his 39th birthday in 1865. Following military service during the Mexican War, Edwards was an 1854 graduate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York. He was a New York City physician who died after contracting typhoid fever from a patient whom he was treating.

Emmanuel Attinelli wrote in his 1876 book, Numisgraphics:

"Dr. Francis S. Edwards, whose decease brought his large and valuable collection under the hammer, was an Englishman by birth, by profession a physician. To him was attributed the appearance of several counterfeit pieces of rare American coins and medals, which, though extremely well executed, were quickly detected."

Other Dr. Edwards issued included copies of the Charles Carroll of Carrollton medal, the gold Washington funeral medal, and colonial copies from Bolen's dies that Edwards acquired. There were likely others that are not identified as Edwards copies today.
From The James R. McGuigan Half Cent Collection.

Coin Index Numbers: (PCGS# 397326)

Weight: 5.44 grams

Metal: 100% Copper

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