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Sale 65
Lot 115
1794 C-9 R7 Liberty Cap, Head Right VG8+. Thin Planchet with Lettered Edge. Sharpness F12 with microscopic porosity in the fields and protected areas while the highpoints are relatively smooth. No verdigris, but there are some faint hairline scratches on the obverse and a planchet flake on the rim at IB in LIBERTY, as struck. Slightly glossy dark olive brown and steel with chocolate brown toning on the highpoints. The date is strong and the legends are complete. The planchet is thin but the edge lettering is normal (although portions of the letters hang off the planchet due to its decreased thickness). What makes this piece special is the fact that it was struck on a lightweight (thin) lettered edge planchet that weighs 80.7 grains versus the 104.0-grain standard for 1794 half cents. This planchet is closer in weight and thickness to those struck according to the 84.0-grain standard authorized in January 1796. Only 5 examples of 1794 half cents (all the C-9 die variety) are known struck on a thin lettered edge planchet, although a few of the 1795 C-1 and 1795 C-2a variety are known on similar lightweight planchets (see page 45 in the Ron Manley book on the half cent series where this and the following two pieces are specifically mentioned). Some researchers have suggested that the pieces struck on lightweight planchets deserve a different variety number (such as C-9b in this case). This makes sense if you accept the suggestion that they were struck on planchets intentionally prepared at the lighter weight, perhaps as a test in preparation for the change to the 84.0-grain standard for half cents. One of only 5 known struck on a thin lettered edge planchet, and this is the finest of that small group. LDS, Manley state 3.0, with the reverse rotated 10 degrees CCW. The obverse is properly centered but the reverse is off slightly to K-7 and is rotated 10 degrees CCW. Weight 80.7 grains. Davy #94.9b.1.
Estimated Value $1,000-UP.
Ex Jonathan Kern-Julian Leidman 10/22/1990.
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