United States of America

United States of America, Half-Cent, 1794, Liberty head to right with long flowing hair, in normal relief, behind her a pole on which rests a Phrygian or Liberty cap, LIBERTY above, 1794 below, rev. value, HALF CENT, within an open wreath of olive the stems tied with a ribbon and below 1/200, legend around, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, toothed border to both sides, edge reads, in large letters, TWO HUNDRED FOR A DOLLAR (Cohen 1a). Good very fine and an even brown colour, traces of over-striking show before face and by left wreath on the reverse, rare.

The details on the coin are good and the folds on the Liberty cap and the flowing hair show well. The over-striking shows most before the face and seems to be traces of flowing hair whist on the reverse it could be the leaves of the wreath. It is just possible that it is stuck over an earlier 1793 Half-Cent with the left-facing bust. Whilst rated a "scarce" by Cohen, in this condition it should be considered "rare". Cohen lists 9 distinct varieties and in all the mintage figure is 81,600. It is understood that the coin was purchased in Nottingham c. 1960 and it has remained in a single collection since then. It has only now come to light following the publicity for the 1796 Half-Cent sold in these rooms on the 22nd January, 2013 for £185,000