5615

1792[H10C] Half Disme, Judd-7, Pollock-7, R.4, XF40 NGC.

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:20,500.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1792[H10C] Half Disme, Judd-7, Pollock-7, R.4, XF40 NGC.
<B>1792<H10C> Half Disme, Judd-7, Pollock-7, R.4, XF40 NGC.</B></I> The half dismes of 1792 are technically a pattern issue, but, like 1856 Flying Eagle cents, they were struck in sufficient numbers to warrant inclusion in the regular series of U.S. coins. We know that they were struck as patterns from a memorandum written in 1844 by Dr. Jonas McClintock, who stated that "...they were never designed as Currency." McClintock was at one time a melter and refiner in the Mint. He is also one of the two sources for the mintage figure of two thousand pieces for the half disme issue, as well as a supporter of the belief that President Washington donated one hundred dollars in bullion for the purpose of striking the coins. All of McClintock's information came from Adam Eckfeldt, who was in the Mint's employ at the time these coins were struck. The half dismes of 1792 were actually struck several months before the first Mint building was completed later in the same year, in the basement of John Harper, a local saw maker, located at the corner of Cherry and 6th Streets. The entire mintage was delivered to Thomas Jefferson on July 13, who in turn delivered them to General and Mrs. Washington, who allegedly gave away many of the coins to their friends in Virginia. The need for coinage was so great in early America, however, that very few pieces were set aside as mementos. There are only a couple of the planchet flakes (as struck), on the obverse of this specimen, that are so often seen on half dismes. The obverse is deeply toned, and an almost opaque coating of dark blue-gray patina covers that side of the coin, the reverse has even apricot-tan color. Generally well struck on the obverse, there is just a bit of softness noted on the highest portions of the design elements, and on some of the reverse peripheral lettering. Adjustment marks are present across the reverse center, and near the lower left reverse rim. For historic importance, the 1792 half disme is without peer among the types of early U.S. coinage. Allegedly struck from George Washington's own silverware, every coin produced can trace its pedigree back to the Father of Our Country. It is even alleged that Martha Washington sat as the model for the figure of Liberty seen on the obverse. A rare opportunity for the serious collector of U.S. coinage.<BR><I>From The Karl Scheible Collection.</B></I> <BR><BR><B>Important notice:</B> Heritage usually auctions material at the rate of 200-250 lots per hour. On some occasions eBay Live bid software or the Internet may not be able to keep up with the pace of the auction. We recommend placing a realistic absentee bid now as insurance to avoid disappointment. Occasionally the auctioneer may eliminate or reject an eBay Live bid, and the auctioneer may also reopen a lot after the close of the eBay live bidding (usually because we missed an audience bid), and may reject your bid even if it shows you as the winning bidder. By bidding via eBay Live, you agree that Heritage may award the lot to another bidder at its sole discretion under the circumstances described above or any other reasonable circumstances. Since eBay bids are not shown to us until we open the lot on the floor, we treat those bids just like floor bids. In most cases the floor responds before the eBay bid is presented to us, due to Internet lag time, so for consistency we have made it a policy that floor bids are always considered first over tie eBay live bids. Also please note that all Heritage lots purchased through eBay Live carry a 20% Buyer's Premium. Please make sure you read the Terms and Conditions before you bid. </span></font></tr></table></td></tr></table>