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1792 H10C Half Disme, Judd-7, Pollock-7, R.4, XF45 PCGS. C...
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Description
1792 Half Disme, XF45
First Federal Coinage Issue
Judd-7, Pollock-7
1792 H10C Half Disme, Judd-7, Pollock-7, R.4, XF45 PCGS.
CAC. 20.9 grains, die alignment 350 degrees. The famous 1792
half disme is one of the most coveted issues in all of American
numismatics, and rightly so. As the first coin struck under the
provisions of the Mint Act of 1792 it occupies a position of
monumental historic importance. The coins were approved in early
July and the first group was struck in the cellar of Philadelphia
sawmaker John Harper, because the Mint building was not ready for
coinage operations. Thomas Jefferson notes in his account book for
July 13, "Recd. from the mint 1,500 half dismes of the new
coinage." Jefferson spent several of the new half dismes on a trip
to his home at Monticello shortly after the striking. The coins
were clearly intended to act as a circulating medium of exchange
but, historically, they have been collected with the pattern
series. Pete Smith, Joel Orosz, and Len Augsburger have uncovered
evidence that a second batch of 1792 half dismes was struck in
October of 1792, after the First United States Mint was fully
operational.The issue was avidly collected by early numismatists, and auction appearances are frequently encountered as early as the 1860s. One particularly nice specimen was offered as lot 2864 of the Sixth Semi-Annual Sale (Woodward, 3/1865): "Martha Washington Half Disme, 1792; a splendid proof; a finer coin is not known; in this condition of the highest rarity." The lot realized $40, a large sum at the time, to a collector named Hoffman. Recent sales include the prior appearance of the present coin in lot 2463 of our FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2010), which realized $109,250.
The coin offered here is an attractive example of this popular issue, with gray-blue toning and light tinges of golden-rose in the fields. It is largely free of the distracting production issues that plague these early coins, with only one shallow planchet flaw located to the left of the eagle. It also exhibits a few parallel adjustment marks by Liberty's ear and a straight scratch on the reverse from H in HALF to the eagle's claw. The wear is even and the strike is uniform, with much interior detail in the hair still intact, and a strong profile to admire. A lively example that will certainly attract well-deserved attention when it crosses the auction block. Housed in a green label holder, certified on 8/20/1991. Population: 2 in 45, 41 finer. CAC: 1 in 45, 4 finer (11/19).
Ex: T. James Clark, purchased privately at the Detroit ANA Convention in August of 1940; Jesse M. Taylor; Taylor Estate; 61st Auction (New Netherlands, 6/1970), lot 1; ANA Centennial Auction (Bowers and Merena, 8/1991), lot 266; Fun Signature (Heritage, 1/2010), lot 2463, realized $109,250.
From The Watermark Collection. (NGC ID# D93T, PCGS# 11020)
Learn more at the Newman Numismatic Portal at Washington University in St. Louis.
Auction Info
Bidding Begins Approx.
December
20th
Friday
Auction Dates
January
8th-13th
Wednesday-Monday
Proxy Bidding Begins Approx.
9 Days
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: N/A
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 153
Auction Type
Signature®: Heritage Live®:After Internet bidding closes, live bidding will take place through www.HA.com/Live. Your secret maximum bid placed prior to the live event will compete against the live bids. To maximize your chances of winning, enter realistic secret maximum bids on our site. Many of our proxy bidders are successful at winning lots in these auctions, and usually below their secret maximum. You can also place last minute bids directly with us by e-mailing Bid@HA.com or calling 1-866-835-3243. (Important note: Due to software and Internet latency, live bids may not register in time, so enter realistic proxy bids.)
Signature® Floor Sessions
Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live starts 24 hours before the live session begins and continues through the session. During the live auction event, bidding in person is encouraged, and Heritage Live includes streaming audio and often video during the event.
Signature®: Heritage Live®:After Internet bidding closes, live bidding will take place through www.HA.com/Live. Your secret maximum bid placed prior to the live event will compete against the live bids. To maximize your chances of winning, enter realistic secret maximum bids on our site. Many of our proxy bidders are successful at winning lots in these auctions, and usually below their secret maximum. You can also place last minute bids directly with us by e-mailing Bid@HA.com or calling 1-866-835-3243. (Important note: Due to software and Internet latency, live bids may not register in time, so enter realistic proxy bids.)
Signature® Floor Sessions
Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live starts 24 hours before the live session begins and continues through the session. During the live auction event, bidding in person is encouraged, and Heritage Live includes streaming audio and often video during the event.
Numismatic Background and Census of 1802 Half Dimes: A Classic American Rarity
This 64-page book cites mintage and rarity estimates by prominent numismatists and documents the currently known 1802 half dime appearances. Each of the 32 documented examples includes an enlarged obverse/reverse photograph, the author's assigned grade, the provenance of each coin, auction prices realized or dealer fixed asking price, and a unique serial number for each specimen that will facilitate retrieval for research, cataloging, or price-information purposes. Reserve your copy of this remarkable volume for just $29.95 today.
This 64-page book cites mintage and rarity estimates by prominent numismatists and documents the currently known 1802 half dime appearances. Each of the 32 documented examples includes an enlarged obverse/reverse photograph, the author's assigned grade, the provenance of each coin, auction prices realized or dealer fixed asking price, and a unique serial number for each specimen that will facilitate retrieval for research, cataloging, or price-information purposes. Reserve your copy of this remarkable volume for just $29.95 today.
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