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 Replies: 74 / Views: 10,381 |
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Valued Member
 United States
169 Posts |
thanks everybody,I'm pretty thrilled with it
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Quote:
They are rare and I believe the first coin minted by the US government (someone correct me if I am wrong). You are correct, the chain cent was the first coin struck by the US Mint. (The Fugio was the first coin struck for the US Government, but that was for a different US Government.) |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3253 Posts |
You could argue the 1792 Half Dismes were struck for the same US government, but not quite at the US Mint (which was under construction). |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2758 Posts |
awesome coin, find, and thread. Just to be clear, the only reason it received a details grade was from the tooling on the edge?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
9796 Posts |
Heck of a score, I just saw this thread and thought it was real as soon as the photos loaded. Shawn Yancey just sold one a touch better on ebay @ NR for $3800.00 I thought that was a bargin, yours was a steal! "Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013! ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1981, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC), Colonial Coin Collectors Club member (C4), Conder Token Collector Club member (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS) member, Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) & Numismatic Bibliomania Society member (NBS), USMex, Member in good standing, 2¢ variety collector. See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1511 Posts |
Congrats!! And very very nice! A true piece of US history. Wow... Again, very nice!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
Congratulations! Great find, happy ending.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
I argue that the 1792 Half Disme isn't a true coin because the US Mint could not legally strike silver coins at that time. I would class them either as patterns or tokens made for Jefferson. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3253 Posts |
But didn't the Coinage Act of April 2, 1792 authorize silver coins? And Washington gave approval for the emission of Half Dismes in July: Quote:
July 9, 1792
To: David Rittenhouse, Director of the Mint
From: George Washington, President
"Having had under consideration the letter of the Director of the Mint on this day's date, I hereby declare my approbation of the purchase he has made of the house and lot for the Mint; of the employment of Mr. Voight as Coiner, of the procuring fifteen tons of copper, and dimes and half-dismes of silver, and I leave to his discretion to have such alterations and additions made to the buildings purchased, as he shall find necessary; satisfied that under his orders no expense will be incurred which reason and necessity will not justify. And I desire that he will make out an Estimate of the sums of money which will be wanting for these purposes, and of the times at which they will be wanting, in order to enable the Treasury to make arrangements for furnishing then with convenience." |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2815 Posts |
I just read this thread, and boy, do I feel relief for you. I'm glad it turned out to be genuine.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3345 Posts |
robuddo-probably the X on the back as well
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3345 Posts |
btw awesome buy! thats a beautiful coin. very old and its got character
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Valued Member
United States
169 Posts |
the damage is some scattered rim nicks about a third the way around were filed,theres an x scratch an two digs on the reverse and a rather odd textured look? to the field on the left side of the planchet.sounds worse than it looks in hand mainly because it doesn't appear to corroded,the date is weak but visible,and its a nice color
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Pillar of the Community
798 Posts |
The way it got to that condition in the amount of time its been around for is from ways like how you were holding it. only hold the edges.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
But the law stated that the Mint could not strike any silver coin until both the coiner and the assayer had posted $10,000 bonds. These bonds were later reduced to $5,000 but they were not posted until mid 1794. So until that time the mint could not legally make silver coins. So the 1792 silver Half Dimes could not be legal coins. Call them what you will, but legally they are not coins. I tend to think of them as private tokens for Jefferson. The phrasing of Washington's letter seems odd. It would be interesting to see the letter from the Director that this is replying to. I would suspect that Rittenhouse made the comment that the first silver coins to be made should be the small denominations since they would be in greatest need and Washington is agreeing. The Act authorizing the mint had already called for the Half Disme and dismes of silver (once the bonds were posted) so there would be no need for Washington to approve them or for Rittenhouse to ask for their approval. Could Rittenhouse have been asking for an "Executive Order" to override the law and allow for the production without having the bonds posted? If so I would expect Washington's reply to be more formal and clearly set forth. |
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Replies: 74 / Views: 10,381 |
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Posted 08/21/2013 10:28 am
