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Sale 8
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Lot 155
1793. Flowing Hair Half Cent. Cohen-1, Breen-1, High Rarity-3. . C-1. PCGS graded AU-55 and Del Bland graded EF-40. Excellent surfaces displaying virtually no abrasions, nicely centered and well struck with HALF CENT sharp. Below the right side of R in LIBERTY are two faint scratches but they are not readily visible to the unaided eye. Light medium chocolate brown on the obverse and dark chocolate brown on the reverse. Aesthetically very appealing and a prize for the half cent collector. Breen's State I.
The color is a bit lighter on the upper right of the obverse, and darker below. Splendid surfaces for the issue, which is all too often found with problems and distractions. As this is an early die state, all device details are sharp. Nearly impossible to find so nice, and certain to attract considerable collector interest.
This is the first federal issue of the Liberty Cap design, it predates the Liberty Cap cent by approximately four months, and the Cohen-1 variety is believed to be the first variety coined on July 20, 1793, with a total issue of just 7,000 pieces. Augustin Dupré's 1782 design of the Libertas Americana medal was used as the model by Mint Engraver Adam Eckfeldt for the obverse design of the half cent. Both the medal and the 1793 half cent feature Liberty facing left, which is unique to this half cent design. On the 1793 large cent, and later 1794 half cents, Liberty faces to the right.
Eckfeldt is believed to have engraved the reverse dies also, using the design of the Birch Cent likely sketched by David Rittenhouse. The letter punches were made by Jacob Bay, a Germantown typefounder, who was employed at the mint from December 24, 1792 until he died in one of the annual yellow fever epidemics.
From a numismatic standpoint, this is a monumental coin as it is the first variety struck of the half cent design. As a specimen, it is outstanding for its high grade and choice surfaces. Apparently a few were saved in mint state, others in high grade like this, but these are the exceptions to the rule. Breen believes that approximately 1.5 percent of the original mintage survived in various grades, and locating even a moderate grade coin with nice surfaces is a difficult task. A timeless American and numismatic classic.
Estimated Value $14,000-UP.
Ex: John G. Mills; S.H. & H Chapman 4/04:1400 as "E.F." $19; Carl Wurtzbach; Ira S. Reed 8/1/45 as "Unc." for $90.
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| Realized $20,125 |
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