1792 Half Disme. LM-1, Judd-7, Pollock-7, the only known dies. Rarity-3. EF Details--Repaired (PCGS). A satisfying and relatively attractive example of this legendary US rarity. The surfaces are toned in a blend of pale violet and deep sapphire iridescence that glows under a light source. Impressive sharpness remains to the devices on each side, with particular definition to Libertys hair curls and the eagles wing feathers. Magnification reveals evidence of old tooling in most of the fields, but this has fully toned over into the overall complexion. This tooling dominates the fields above and behind Libertys portrait. Parallel pinscratches intersect in the upper reverse field, accompanying well hidden traces of tooling around the eagle and within the denomination. Even with these stated problems, the eye appeal remains appealing. Listed as Coin 40-2 in the exhaustive census compiled by the authors of <em>1792: Birth of a Nations Coinage</em> (Smith, Orosz, and Augsburger 2017).On October 15, 1792, George Washington received a report from his Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson that made note that there has been also a small beginning in the coinage of the half dismes, and included this milestone in his Annual Address to Congress that November. Struck from $75 of silver bullion deposited by Jefferson, the coins were produced in the cellar of John Harpers shop several blocks from where the first United States Mint was still being readied. Jefferson took delivery of 1,500 half dimes on July 13, 1792, and apparently distributed the new coins far and wide, as almost all of the few hundred known specimens are in low grades and often damaged. Indeed, many have been found throughout the Eastern Seaboard, including heavily worn examples found in New Jersey as well as Washingtons and Jeffersons home state of Virginia. Ever since the very beginnings of American numismatics, the 1792 half dismes with their direct connections to the nations Founding Fathers have been among the most coveted of all federally issued coins regardless of condition. Steeped in history, this imperfect example of one of the most significant American issues should not be overlooked. From the Macon Collection. Earlier ex San Diego Show, Incs auction of June 1989, lot 713; San Diego Show, Incs auction of March 1990, lot 3014; our (Kingswood Galleries) sale of August 1990, lot 6363. Listed as Coin 40-2 in the exhaustive census compiled by Smith, Oroz and Augsberger in 1792: Birth of a Nations Coinage (2017).
