1792 Half Disme - 1792 H10C Half Disme, PCGS VF25, Pollock-7, R4, Judd-7. This rare, silver 1792 Half Disme pattern is one of the first pieces struck by the authority of the United States government. Most circulated widely and exhibit heavy wear. The present example is an exception because it has strong details on the tail feathers and the left wing, which show only light circulation. Although Libertys hair near her ear is flat, the upper most curls and those above the shoulders are well detailed. Much of the eagle is softly struck, but the peripheral legends are strong. There is a curved scratch in the left field in front of Libertys chin, a small very thin mark across the cheek, and a small dig on the forehead. The coin is deeply toned medium gray with highlights of aqua and light silver-gray.

The obverse shows a profile of Liberty facing left. Her head is in the same style as on the Birch Cent and was probably designed by Robert Birch. (Researchers are not certain and Henry Voigt or Joseph Wright might have done the engraving.) Liberty is surrounded by the inscription LIB. PAR. OF SCIENCE & INDUSTRY with the date below. The reverse shows an eagle in flight. Its wings are outstretched, and its head is pointed toward the top of the coin. It is surrounded by the inscription UNI. STATES OF AMERICA. The denomination, written in two lines as HALF DISME, is below the eagle. A small six-pointed star is between DISME and the dentils, and the edge is reeded.

Also struck in copper, this silver Half Disme is a famous experimental piece struck by the early Mint. It was not struck in the Mint building because it was still in the planning stage. Its corner stone was laid on July 31, 1792. Researchers believe that the coin was made in a private facility owned by John Harper, a saw maker. According to Thomas Jeffersons records, 1,500 pieces were made from seventy-five dollars of silver bullion and placed into circulation.

A coin of this historic magnitude also has associated legends. According to one of them, Martha Washington was the model for Liberty. Unfortunately for those who like this story, the First Ladys portrait does not match the profile of Liberty on the coin. Another legend is that the coin was made from George Washingtons melted down tableware. It was common practice for silverware to be melted into other forms in early times; it was, after all, a safe storehouse of wealth that could be converted into tankards, dishes, and coin. However, there is no contemporary evidence that this was the fate of Washingtons tableware other than the rumor. It is further speculated that Washington was the individual who placed the coins into circulation. He did refer to the mintage when in his Address to Congress on November 6th he said that there was a small beginning in the coinage of half dismes. 

Robert Birch was born in London. He was the Mint Engraver from 1792 to 1793. He has been called Robert by researchers; however, the mint records list his name as Bob Birch. The 1792 pattern Cent is named after him. There is no doubt he worked on coinage dies during the Mints first year, although, he was never commissioned as a Mint officer. It is believed that he died of yellow fever in September 1793 since there is no mention of his name in records after this time.

Henry Voigt was the first Chief Coiner for the Mint. His permanent commission was signed by President Washington on January 29, 1793, and he remained in his position until his death in 1814. Voigt was born in Pennsylvania in 1738. During the Seven Years War of 1756 to 1763, his family moved to Saxony Germany, their homeland. When the war was over, he took a position at the Royal Mint of Saxony where he learned how to use all of the machinery and how to make every part himself. He even made improvements to the minting machinery during his time there. He was an ideal candidate to work at the first United States Mint. When he returned to America, he worked as a clockmaker in Philadelphia and became an assistant to David Rittenhouse, a well known watch and clock maker, who became the first Mint Director. When the Revolutionary War broke out, Voigt helped manufacturer gears, guns, and gunlocks for the Continental Army. In 1780 he manufactured wire in Reading, Pennsylvania, and, with his brother Sebastian, once again became a clockmaker. In 1787 he developed a steam engine to power a boat, and he and his brother manufactured steam engines. Both applied for work at the new Mint. Voigt gained the position probably because of his previous association with David Rittenhouse. He became Chief Coiner and Superintendent, the second person in charge. He oversaw the construction of the buildings and the installation of the equipment.

Joseph Wright was a skilled engraver, painter, and sculptor. He painted several portraits of Benjamin Franklin that were lost at sea when a ship he was on ran aground during his return voyage to America from France. When he returned home, he created a bronze bust of George Washington. Later he moved to Philadelphia where he began working at the Mint in 1792. He was commissioned as a draughtsman and die sinker; although, everyone considered him to be the Chief Engraver. Unfortunately, like Robert Birch, both he and his wife died in September 1793 as a result of the yellow fever epidemic that annually plagued Philadelphia.

Because of the large numbers of crossovers and resubmission the grading services population reports are not particularly useful for this issue. Combined they have certified 123 pieces, yet researchers feel that far fewer exist today. PCGS, for example, states that fewer than 100 exist, and Judd puts the total population at 30. PCGS lists the VF25 population at 6. In any case the historic significance of this coin cannot be understated. It is a real piece of American numismatic history and an authentic survivor of the early federal era.