1795 HALF DIME -
VALENTINE 8
Rarity: Very RareVariety Equivalents:
Breen
Notes:
The reverse die for this variety
was also used on 1795 Valentine 5 and 1795 Valentine 7.
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Images courtesy of Superior
Galleries
Significant
examples:
NGC MS-65 (illustrated above). Ex - Superior Galleries'
"Pre-Long Beach Sale", October 1-3, 2000, Lot 3002, where
it was described as follows: "Second year of issue for this
diminutive denomination, and a spectacular, original toned Gem
quality example. Liberty and the eagle show exceptional detail, with
rims perfect and no unsightly marks or stains. This variety has as
its identifying feature a long die crack from the rim between TY in
LIBERTY to the hair and ear, ending just above the raised center dot
on Liberty's neck. The reverse is perfect, without die breakage and,
of special note, there are none of the usual adjustment lines
disfiguring the rims. Little is known of the accepted design's
origins. Designer Robert Scot apparently copied it from the cents,
omitting the liberty cap. The heads of Liberty were mostly engraved
until well into 1795 as Scot did not at the outset know how to make
a device punch, and one that he finally did make for half dismes
broke at the tip of the bust. His attempt to make these
half-disme designs match the larger silver coins reflects a Mint
policy which became standard for over a century: All gold coins
should share a common design, all silver another, all copper a third
(preferably like the silver but minus the eagle). Mint Director
David Rittenhouse derived this policy from British and French coins
of the period." - Superior Galleries "ANA 2001 National Money Show
Auction", March 8-9, 2001, Lot 989, "Valentine 8...In NGC holder
206118-001", no mention of the prior pedigree, where it sold
for $17,000 to the book - Superior Galleries "The ANA 2001 National
Money Show Auction", March 8-9, 2001, Lot 162, unsold
Recent appearances:
Sources and/or
recommended reading:
"The PCGS Population Report, July 2003" by The
Professional Coin Grading Service
"Federal Half
Dimes 1792-1837" by Russell J. Logan and John W. McCloskey
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