(1785) Bar Cent PCGS MS62 BN. This mint state Bar Cent is characterized by clean surfaces and uniform color. The letters of the monogram are outlined with toning creating a dramatic, sculptured look for the obverse. The reverse shows a couple of small toning spots which attest to the coins originality. No wear is seen, as expected for a mint state coin. The incomplete dentils on both sides are expected and characteristic of the type.

The undated coin shows a large roman lettered USA monogram similar to the design on Continental buttons of the time. The interlocked letters of the monogram symbolize unity. The reverse has thirteen parallel bars, representing the first thirteen states in the Union. Although called Bar Cents their weight was almost identical to the half cent of 1795. The New Jersey Gazette of November 12, 1785 said the following: A new and curious kind of coppers have lately made their appearance in New York, the novelty and bright gloss of which keeps them in circulation. These coppers are in fact similar to Continental buttons without eyes.If Congress does not take the establishment of a Mint into consideration it is probable that the next coin which may come into circulation will be the soldiers old pewter buttons.

In the mid 1780s there were coinage shortages in both England and America. The acute coinage shortage in England was brought about by the rise of the Industrial Revolution and the indifference of the Royal Mint to provide low value coinage. Into this vacuum stepped private minters to provide the public with coinage for low salaried workers. By the end of the decade, hundreds of companies were making coppers that the Royal Mint would not make. Some pieces were made specifically for export to the United States, where they circulated because of the coinage shortage there too. These include the Starry Pyramid halfpenny, struck between 1792 and 1794; several General George Washington tokens; the Talbot, Allum & Lee cents of 1794-1795; and the Myddelton token of 1796 made by Matthew Boulton. Many of the Talbot coppers were also used by the United States Mint, which had an acute shortage of coining metals. Approximately 52,000 of the imported coppers were recycled to make half-cent planchets.

The Bar Cent was designed by George Wyon and made in Birmingham, England. Wyon was famous for making the Nova Constellatio Coppers. Since the Bar Cents circulated in New York, it is assumed that the New York merchant who ordered them sent Wyon a Continental soldiers uniform button to use as a prototype.

There were many contemporary counterfeits of the Bar Cent, and certain identifiers are needed to establish a coins authenticity. The first is the small spine protruding from the right end of the second bar pointing to the third. The second is a tiny die crack in the center of the coin joining the two bars. These marks are missing from die cast forgeries. A copy made by J.A. Bolen during the Civil War had the S over the A instead of over it. (All USRCI coins are guaranteed genuine and authenticated by one of the major grading services.)

Two types of Bar Cents are known, the present piece and one made on a broader planchet, which is thought to have been made as a souvenir or special presentation piece. Another interesting example has appeared. It is a Bar Cent struck over a 1780 India Anna issued during the Bengal Presidency. The die is similar to the Bar Cents that are known, so that this piece is another variety or an exceptionally good counterfeit.

George Wyon III came to England at the age of seventeen. He later went back to Germany, married, and returned to England with his son. Wyon was a distinguished medalist and engraver in Birmingham. He became Chief Engraver of His Majestys Seals, a position similar to Chief Engraver at the United States Mint. He died in 1797 and was buried in Birmingham.

All Bar Cents are rare and sought after by collectors and specialists. In its population report, PCGS shows 4 in MS62 BN with 8 better.