5055

(1792) 1C Washington Born Virginia Cent, Inscribed R

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
(1792) 1C  Washington Born Virginia Cent, Inscribed R
<B>(1792) 1C Washington Born Virginia Cent, Inscribed Reverse VF20 PCGS.</B></I> Breen-1239, Baker-60. This is the "second die" as listed by Walter Breen, and it is the more plentiful of two varieties. An easy attribution point is the relationship between TE of UNITED and the 1 of 1789. The "first die" has the 1 of the date below the space between TE, favoring the E. The "second die" has the digit 1 below the right base of the T. The are several other differences between these dies. This issue is described as "undated," and it is generally believed that it was issued circa 1792. The inscription on the reverse lists three different years, 1775, 1783, and 1789, representing important years in the life of Washington.<BR> Walter Breen attributed the coinage of these pieces to Birmingham, England, and he described them as medals that were not fancy enough to suit the desires of medal collectors in that country. Therefore, the Washington Born Virginia pieces were shipped to America, where they circulated, most likely as one cent coins, due to there size relationship to the federal cents.<BR> This is a lovely example with smooth dark brown surfaces and lighter tan at the periphery. The surfaces are not pristine, but are far nicer than normally encountered, with only miniscule abrasions. The only distracting mark is a short diagonal scratch at the upper reverse. from the border at 12:30 to the E of GENERAL. While not a major rarity in the colonial series, this is an extremely important offering of a scarce issue that is seldom found nice. Lot:5055