Lot 1
1
EVENING SESSION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1996 CHRISTIES PARK AVENUE AT 7 P.M. SUPERB 1793 HALF-CENT
Half-Cent, 1793, Flowing Hair, head of Liberty to left, Phrygian or Liberty Cap on pole, probably designed by Adam Eckfeldt, short 7 in date, low L above Liberty's head, longest stems reverse (Breen 4; Gilbert 2; Cohen 4, rarity 3), Die state I, faint raised lumps caused by rust visible on the obverse, repunching at ER of AMERICA on the reverse quite clear, choice uncirculated, glossy tan and without marks except for a small lint mark in the field behind Liberty's head, the only appearance of the type in the Half-Cent series, a rare issue with an important pedigree

Details
Half-Cent, 1793, Flowing Hair, head of Liberty to left, Phrygian or Liberty Cap on pole, probably designed by Adam Eckfeldt, short 7 in date, low L above Liberty's head, longest stems reverse (Breen 4; Gilbert 2; Cohen 4, rarity 3), Die state I, faint raised lumps caused by rust visible on the obverse, repunching at ER of AMERICA on the reverse quite clear, choice uncirculated, glossy tan and without marks except for a small lint mark in the field behind Liberty's head, the only appearance of the type in the Half-Cent series, a rare issue with an important pedigree

Lot Essay

In 1793, the fledging mint in Philadelphia began its coinage operations with the issue of copper Half-Cents for general circulation. The first Half-Cent type is thought to have been designed by Adam Eckfeldt, who testified under oath on November 4, 1803 that, prior to becoming Assistant Mint Coiner in January, 1796, he had been working "in the engraver's department." The design for the new Half-Cent was most likely copied from Agustin Dupre's LIBERTAS AMERICANA medal of 1782, as well as from designs by David Rittenhouse, American patriot, scientist, scholar, and the first director of the new mint. Up to, and well after, the official opening of the mint, coins of all nations were readily accepted by merchants in the new country. The first Half-Cents were eagerly accepted in the everyday commerce of the nation, although the relatively small amounts produced disappeared into business channels faster than the mint could produce them.