Among the incredible highlights from the Property of a Texas Gentleman is a magnificent Gem from the first year of operations at the Philadelphia Mint. Authorized by an act of Congress in April 1792, the United States Mint began striking coins for circulation the following year. Significant as the first United States half cent, the 1793 also represents a one year type, the only issue of the Liberty Cap, Head Left design. Henry Voigt engraved the dies between late April and mid-July 1793, and by mid-May more than 30,000 planchets had been prepared by the Mint for this issue. Actual coinage commenced on July 19, with the first 7,000 examples delivered to the treasurer the following day. An additional 24,934 pieces were struck July 23 through 25, and delivered on July 26, for a total mintage of 31,934 coins for the 1793 half cent issue. The facility shut down operations on September 18, employees could escape the city’s annual outbreak of yellow fever. By the time the Mint reopened near the end of November 1793, Robert Scot had been hired as engraver, and his dies, employed in 1794 featured Liberty facing to the right.
The second finest listed in the census for the Cohen-4 die marriage, this stunning example in our February sale offers a pedigree going back to the Loren G. Parmelee Collection, sold in 1890, with its most recent appearance in the James R. McGuigan Collection in 2022. It is also the plate coin for both the C-4 variety and Manley Die State 1.0 in the 1998 Manley reference on half cent die states.
Our cataloger describes this coin as “an absolute jewel, with exceptional quality and virtually unheard of eye appeal for a 1793 Liberty Cap half cent. Both sides are fully defined from a well centered impression that has imparted complete border beading and broad outer margins around both sides. Every strand of Liberty’s hair and each leaf in the wreath are crisply delineated. The surfaces show excellent luster, the obverse semi-prooflike and the reverse more frosty in texture, and there is abundant good gloss. Beautiful autumn-brown patina blankets both sides and makes a lovely impression. The surfaces are remarkably smooth with hardly any blemishes, as one should expect given the MS-65 grade assigned by PCGS. A few trivial disturbances are present along the edge below the digits 17 in the date; these features have been described as “rim nicks” in at least one earlier auction appearance of this coin, although close inspection with a loupe suggests to this cataloger (JLA) that these are minor planchet flaws and, hence, as made. Regardless, the in-hand appearance of this coin is one of numismatic perfection for an early date United States Mint copper, and the eye appeal is truly extraordinary. Manley Die State 1.0, without the die defect or rust lump that later develops at the top of the digit 7 in the date.”
This incredible coin will no doubt be a highlight of the next cabinet it graces, whether a world-class type set or another amazing advanced half cent collection.
