1793 Half Cent - The first half cent was probably designed by Henry Voigt. It was a one-year-only type. The 1783 Libertas Americana medal was the model that Voigt apparently used. The medal was engraved in Paris in 1782 at the behest of Benjamin Franklin, who suggested its motifs and mottoes. The French artist Esprit-Antoine Gibelin made the sketches, and Augustin Dupré did the engraving. The obverse shows Liberty facing left with LIBERTAS AMERICANA above and the date 4 JUIL 1776 below a double horizontal line. Behind her is a liberty cap on a pole. The reverse shows the infant Hercules who symbolizes the United States, in his cradle strangling two serpents. His nurse, Minerva who represents France, shields the infant from a lion, Great Britain.

The obverse of the half-cent is similar to the medal. It shows a left facing Liberty in profile. Above her head is the inscription LIBERTY with the date 1793 below. Behind her head is a liberty cap on a pole. There are no horizontal lines above the date, and the pole is at a sharper angle so that its end is above the truncation rather than below it. Also on the half-cent, the cap lies on the pole in a more natural way. Liberty’s hair is not as wild on the coin compared to the medal, and it curls toward and slightly below the date. The reverse shows the denomination in two lines in a wreath of laurel tied with a bow at the bottom. Within the ribbons of the bow is the fraction one-two hundredths. The whole is circumscribed by the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The edge is lettered TWO HUNDRED FOR A DOLLAR.

The pictured coin is eye-appealing and glossy. It has clean, hard surfaces with no pitting, spots or other distractions that can be seen without magnification. The chocolate-brown and darker brown colors attest to the coin’s originality. The date, the denomination, and the fraction are sharp for the grade. Some varieties are lightly defined at HALF CENT, but that is not the case with the present coin; all of its legends are bold. The hair above Liberty’s forehead shows some detail, and the balance of the hair is detailed and distinct. The CAC sticker indicates that this piece is a premium quality coin that fully merits the assigned grade. In its population report, PCGS has certified 17 1793 half-cents at the VF35 level. At CAC, as of April 2013, only the present coin has been confirmed at the VF35 level.

*Approximate cost: VF $14,500; AU50 $37,500; MS60 $75,000; MS63 $105,630.

* Prices shown are for average non CAC approved specimens. High quality original specimens are valued higher, will cost in some cases large premiums over average coins and are a better acquisition when found.

1796 Half Dime, Likerty - Designed by Robert Scot, the Draped Bust, Small Eagle Reverse half-dime shows a draped bust of Liberty in profile with her hair tied with a ribbon. The word LIBERTY is above and the date is below. In 1796 there were 15 stars on the obverse of the coin. The 1797 issue had three varieties with 15, 16, and 13 stars. For the first two years of the Draped Bust half-dime, the Small Eagle reverse was used; it shows a skinny eagle perched on a wreath that is tied with a bow and surrounded by the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The denomination does not appear on the coin, and the edge is reeded.

The pictured coin is a 1796 half-dime LIKERTY variety. It has silvery-gray devices over somewhat darker fields, especially on the reverse. The surfaces are original and clean for the grade with virtually no visible distracting abrasions worthy of individual mention. Unlike many coins of this era, there are no adjustment marks. Traces of original mint luster remain within the devices. The B of LIBERTY has a die imperfection that makes it somewhat resemble a K. The usual central weakness is seen, especially on the reverse.

The LIKERTY half-dime, identified with the berry below the D in UNITED, is a lapped die state. A die is lapped when the surface is ground or filed away to remove clash marks or flow lines. In this state the top and base of the B in LIBERTY gradually weakened leaving a letter that looks like a K.

The portrait is modeled on a drawing by the famous artist Gilbert Stuart. Mrs. William Bingham was the model. She was a Philadelphia socialite and one of the most beautiful women of her time. Engraver Robert Scot used Stuart’s portrait as the basis for his engraving. John Eckstein was probably responsible for the eagle motif of the reverse. The palm branches on the right side of the wreath are a compliment to Mint Director Henry William DeSaussure who was from South Carolina; however, by the time the coins of this design were made, he had resigned his position. Nearly all varieties of this design in all denominations have central weakness. The worst of these is probably the half-dime.

Scot was born in 1744 in Edinburgh, Scotland or England. (Documentary evidence is lacking as to where he was born.) He was trained as a watchmaker in England and learned engraving afterwards. He moved to the United States in 1777, where he worked as an engraver of plates, bills of exchange, and office scales. During the Revolution, he was an engraver of paper money. In 1780 he was made the State Engraver of Virginia. He moved to Philadelphia the next year. He was appointed Chief Engraver of the United States Mint on November 23, 1793 by David Rittenhouse, Mint Director.

*Approximate cost: VF $5,250; AU50 $12,500; MS60 $22,500; MS63 $50,000

* Prices shown are for average non CAC approved specimens. High quality original specimens are valued higher, will cost in some cases large premiums over average coins and are a better acquisition when found.

1796 Dime - Like the half-dime of the same year, the 1796 dime was designed by Robert Scot. It is a Draped Bust, Small Eagle type, which shows a draped bust of Liberty with her hair tied with a ribbon. The word LIBERTY is above and the date is below. To the left of Liberty there are 8 six-pointed stars, and to the right there are 7. The Small Eagle Reverse shows a skinny eagle perched on a wreath that is tied with a bow and surrounded by the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The left half of the wreath is laurel, and the right half is palm. There is no denomination indicated on the coin, and the edge is reeded.

The pictured coin, a toned first-year-of issue and first-year-of-denomination, has light tan devices over darker fields. The coin was well struck with strong detail on the lines of drapery and the eagle’s wings. Dentils are full on the right side of the obverse and most of the reverse. The surfaces are original and incredibly clean for the grade with no notable abrasion marks or other distractions. A prominent die break eclipses almost half of Star 1. In general this is a very pleasant early dime which would make a great addition to an early date type set.

The early Mint in Philadelphia had many challenges. Each of the specialists, the designers, engravers, and press operators were men who had previously worked in other fields. Coin manufacturing was a new trade for them. Production was sporadic. For the new Mint to coin each of the mandated denominations, it took four years. This delay was partly because of inexperience and governmental obstacles. Bonds that were unrealistically high were impediments to engravers working with precious metals. Congress was not united on the need for a government mint since private and foreign coinage seemed to work. Because of the non-existent or low production numbers in the early years of the Mint, foreign copper, silver and gold circulated along with American made coins for many years until they were later demonetized.

Record keeping in the Mint’s early years was fairly inaccurate. At the end of the eighteenth century Philadelphia had recovered from the British occupation and Revolutionary War. It was the second largest city in the English-speaking world, but it could do nothing to protect its citizens from the mosquito-borne epidemic of yellow fever. Its wealthy citizens went to the countryside to escape, and the poor grimly waited their fate. Of course these annual epidemics caused havoc with all manufacturing that required continuity, such as a coinage sequence. In addition to yellow fever, chaos at the Mint was also caused by chronic bullion shortages, coin dies that would wear out and had to be re-engraved because they were not taken out of production until they failed completely, and a Chief Engraver, Robert Scot, who was in his seventies and had failing eyesight.

*Approximate cost: VF $7,250; AU50 $15,000; MS60 $25,000; MS63 $45,000

* Prices shown are for average non CAC approved specimens. High quality original specimens are valued higher, will cost in some cases large premiums over average coins and are a better acquisition when found.

1796 Quarter Dollar - Robert Scot and John Eckstein designed the quarter. Like the other coins in the set, the obverse was based on a drawing of Ann Bingham by the famous American portrait artist, Gilbert Stuart. It shows a right facing, draped bust of Liberty in profile. A ribbon ties the upper strands of her hair, while the rest flows down her shoulders. There are eight six-pointed stars to her left and seven to her right. The word LIBERTY is above and the date is below. The Small Eagle of the reverse was designed by Eckstein.

It shows a skinny eagle perched on clouds surrounded by a wreath that is tied with a bow. Around the wreath is the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The right side of the wreath is palm, and the left side is laurel. The palm is a compliment to Henry William DeSaussure, who came from South Carolina. Yet, by the time the coin was issued, he had resigned his position as Mint Director. No denomination is indicated, and the edge is reeded.

Evidently Gilbert Stuart was disappointed with Draped Bust motif because his connection to it was suppressed. The blame is partly on Engraver Robert Scot, a bank-note-plate artist who had no knowledge about making a die or a device punch. It is also on his assistant, John Eckstein, who made “models” for the new Draped Bust coin designs. Eckstein is also given credit for designing the Small Eagle reverse with its cloud shaped perch and oversized wreath.

With fifteen stars on the obverse, one for each state in the Union at the time, it is evident that no one thought that there would be a sixteenth state. Tennessee was admitted to the Union on June 1, 1796, yet many quarters, and other denominations that used the same motif, were struck after that date with fifteen stars.

Lovely, original surfaces characterize the pictured, scarce 1796 quarter dollar. The surfaces are pristine for the grade with no visible abrasion marks or other distractions worthy of mention. The wear is even and appropriate for the grade. Some drapery lines on the bust show. The hair from the forehead past the ear and down the neck is outlined and shows some detail, as do the feathers on the eagle’s wings. Except for the right reverse, the dentils are full and bold. A couple of very light adjustment marks are noted on the reverse, which is mentioned merely for the sake of accuracy. The CAC sticker confirms that the coin is a premium quality piece that fully deserves the assigned grade.

The B-2 variety is identified by the High 6 in the date. The curl point of Liberty’s hair is under the curve of the B in LIBERTY. The other variety for this issue, B-1, has a Low 6, and Liberty’s curl is under the center of the B. A single reverse die was used with both obverses.

*Approximate cost: VF $35,000; AU50 $57,500; MS60 $85,000; MS63 $300,000.

* Prices shown are for average non CAC approved specimens. High quality original specimens are valued higher, will cost in some cases large premiums over average coins and are a better acquisition when found.

1795 Half Dollar - The O-130 variety is identified by the point of Star 1 that pierces through the open lower curl. The curl forms a blunt hook. Star 2 has a point that is close to the left side of the second curl. The point of the bust is centered in between the two points of Star 15 and close to it. The date is 8 millimeters wide, and Liberty’s mouth is open. The same obverse die is used on O-129 and O-131. The reverse has 7 berries on the left and 10 on the right. It is the only 1795 reverse die with this berry distribution.

1799 Silver Dollar - The pictured 1799 silver dollar is fully original and clean, for the grade. It has light devices against a darker background. The fields are predominantly dark chocolate brown, while the devices are a soft, light brown creating an almost cameo contrast. While graded VF30, the coin shows drapery lines that are more consistent with a higher grade. The CAC sticker indicates that the piece is of premium quality and fully merits the assigned grade.

The coin is the BB-164 variety, which is one of the 7X6 obverse star arrangements. The letters of LIBERTY are close to each other. Star 8 is the closest star, and it is slightly closer to the Y than Star 7 is to the L in LIBERTY. Star 1 is farther from the hair curl than Star 13 is from the bust. The numeral 1 of the date is recut to a straight top. The reverse has five very large berries in the olive branch. These are the largest on any 1799 dollar. The point of Star 12 enters the eagle’s mouth, and it looks as if the upper beak is closing on it. A leaf points to the left side of the I in AMERICA. The first A in AMERICA is close to the feathers but does not touch them. The stem in the eagle’s claw is very short. A raised die flaw resembling an equal sign is under Star 2 at an angle. The far right edge of the A in STATES is over the junction of Clouds 3 and 4.

The Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle type dollar was made from 1798 to 1804. The obverse shows a draped bust of Liberty facing right. Above is the inscription, LIBERTY, and the date is below. Seven six-pointed stars are to the left and six are to the right. It is believed that the portrait of Liberty is taken from a drawing by Gilbert Stuart. John Eckstein translated this drawing into models for the dies. Evidently Eckstein made the models poorly, which might explain why Stuart’s family refused to acknowledge his role in the coinage design. The eagle with up stretched wings and a Union shield on its breast is called a heraldic eagle. E PLURIBUS UNUM is inscribed on a banner that curls across the left wing and under the right. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is in an arc near the periphery interrupted by the wing tips. In an arc pattern are thirteen stars above the eagle’s head under the clouds. The edge is lettered, and dentils are near the edge on both sides of the coin.

By placing the olive branch and arrows in the wrong talons of the eagle, Scot either committed a design blunder or chose or was told to make a design to show America’s aggressive militarism. In 1799 the country was engaged with France in an undeclared naval war. Perhaps this symbolism was being used to make a statement to France and others about the sovereignty of the United States.

The omission of the denomination was intentional. Except for its edge, the coin has no denomination-- something that might appear as a sign of ineptitude. However, since United States coinage was new to the world market of the 18th century, the term “dollar” would have been unfamiliar to merchants of the day. Like European coinage of the time, silver and gold pieces were valued by their weight and fineness so the denomination was largely irrelevant.

*Approximate cost: VF $2,500; AU50 $8,000; MS60 $22,500; MS63 $55,000

* Prices shown are for average non CAC approved specimens. High quality original specimens are valued higher, will cost in some cases large premiums over average coins and are a better acquisition when found.

1798 Quarter Eagle - The first Capped Bust quarter eagle had no stars on the obverse. Later in 1796, designer Robert Scot added thirteen stars. The pictured coin, like the others to 1807, has obverse stars. It is the BD-2 variety, which is identified with date widely spaced with the 8 touching the drapery. Star 7 is far from the Y in LIBERTY. The reverse has 5 berries on the olive branch. The other variety for this date, BD-1, has a close date and 4 berries on the olive branch.

Light and dark greenish gold surfaces characterize this rare 1798 Wide Date quarter eagle. The reverse also shows a touch of orange gold. The presence of all of these colors indicates the coin’s originality. The surfaces have light abrasions, in keeping with the grade; however, none is so distracting that it requires individual description. Traces of original mint luster remain within the devices. Most quarter eagles of the era have light striking in one area or another. On this piece the strike is variable with full details on the upper right stars, the back of Liberty’s hair and drapery, and most of the feathers of the eagle. The dentils are sharp on both sides.

The Capped Bust motif was designed by Robert Scot. The gold denominations of the time, the quarter eagle, the half eagle, and the eagle have the same obverse design. Liberty wears a large, soft cap, which is perhaps emblematic of a Phrygian cap because it certainly does not look like one. The heraldic eagle of the reverse is the first design for the quarter eagle but the second for the half eagle and eagle, which saw a scrawny, chicken-like eagle replaced by the heraldic one. Researchers are not certain if Scot deliberately mixed up the heraldry of the Great Seal of the United States or if it was meant as a warning to Europe to be mindful of the sovereignty of the United States.

*Approximate cost: VF $8,000; AU50 $30,000; MS60 $75,000; MS63 $175,000

* Prices shown are for average non CAC approved specimens. High quality original specimens are valued higher, will cost in some cases large premiums over average coins and are a better acquisition when found.

1798 Half Eagle - The pictured coin is identified as a 1798 half eagle and a BD-4 variety. It has a Large 8 in the date which touches the drapery and is also above the 9 at the top. The 9 is shallowly punched and the 1 is heavily punched. The same obverse die was used for BD-3 when it was combined with a 14 Star reverse. The BD-4 reverse has 13 Stars and rather prominent cuds from the rim to the ES in STATES and the O in OF. The reverse also shows an irregular cross pattern of stars above the eagle. The left foot of the first A in AMERICA is near, but not touching, Feather 4.

The coin shows traces of muted, original mint luster in protected areas. The strike is variable with full details on the upper shield and most of the eagle’s wings. Dentils are present on both sides and stronger on the reverse. The coin is a mixture of yellow and orange-gold. These colors, along with the remaining luster, attest to the coin’s originality. For the grade, the surfaces are clean and free of abrasion marks or other distractions worthy of individual mention.

Designed by Robert Scot, the obverse shows a profile of Liberty facing right. Below her is the date which is off center to the left. Between the date and the word LIBERTY on the left side of the coin are ­­­8 stars. Another 5 stars follow LIBERTY down to the bust. Liberty wears a large, soft cap. Her hair flows down and also shows on her forehead. The design was probably taken from a Roman engraving of a Greek goddess. Liberty’s cap was certainly not a Phrygian or liberty cap. The liberty cap, emblematic of freedom, was worn by freed slaves and freed gladiators in Roman times. It was a close fitting cap used to cover a shorn head, which was one of the ways slaves were identified. Because of the way Liberty’s hair strands wrap around it, the oversized cap has been called a turban, and the design has been called the Turban Head because of it.

The reverse shows the same heraldic eagle with the mixed up arrows and olive branch. It is unlikely that Scot misread the Great Seal of the United States, since he was an engraver of paper money plates and knew the importance of the symbolism. More than likely, the reversal was a warning to France and other European powers to be mindful of the sovereignty of the United States. After all, the young United States was brash in that they had just defeated the super power, England in gaining independence. They no longer could tolerate France interfering with their merchant shipping industry.

* Approximate cost: VF $6,000; AU50 $20,000; MS60 $35.000; MS63 $65,000

* Prices shown are for average non CAC approved specimens. High quality original specimens are valued higher, will cost in some cases large premiums over average coins and are a better acquisition when found.

1799 Eagle - Like the other coins in this set, the 1799 eagle was designed by Robert Scot. The Capped Bust motif shows Liberty facing right. Below her is the date which is off center to the left. Between the date and the word LIBERTY on the left side of the coin are eight stars. Another five stars follow LIBERTY down to the bust. Liberty wears a large, soft cap. Her hair flows down and also shows on her forehead. The design was probably taken from a Roman engraving of a Greek goddess. Her cap is a contemporary fashion statement, hardly a Phrygian or liberty cap. The liberty cap was worn by freed slaves to symbolize their freedom and cover their shorn heads, which was one of the way slaves were identified. The oversized cap worn by Liberty has been called a turban, and the design has been called the Turban Head because of it.

The reverse shows Scot’s misinterpretation of the Great Seal of the United States. It was most likely an intentional reversal of heraldry, placing the arrows in the eagle’s right talon and the olive branch in the left as a warning to France and the other European powers to be mindful of United States’ sovereignty.

This particular piece is rare and in near-Mint State condition. It has bright mint luster within its devices. The strike is above average with full details on some of the stars, Liberty’s hair, the upper shield, the eagle’s neck and wings, and the clouds. There is just a touch of wear on the highest points, in keeping with the grade. The surfaces are original with a small scratch upward from Star 3 and some small scattered copper spots on the reverse. No adjustment marks are present on the coin.

The BD-6 is identified ON the obverse with the numerals 17 of the date close to each other. Star 9 touches the Y of LIBERTY, and Star 13 is far from the Liberty’s bust. The reverse shows Star 12 away from the eagle’s beak but pointing towards the opening. The first A in AMERICA touches Feathers 3 and 4.

The original mintage of the 1799 eagle was 37,449; however, it is not known how many were of each type. The PCGS population report is not particularly useful since only 2 1799 BD-6 eagles have been certified, and the higher of the two is an AU53. However, Dannreuther and Bass give the BD-6 variety an R5 rarity rating.

*Approximate cost: VF $11,500; AU50 $22,000; MS60 $38,500; MS63 $75,000

* Prices shown are for average non CAC approved specimens. High quality original specimens are valued higher, will cost in some cases large premiums over average coins and are a better acquisition when found.