1792 H10c

Coin / United States of America / 1792 / Philadelphia / Half Disme / H10c

Technically a pattern issue, also known as Judd-7, but now widely popular and considered collectible as a regular issue. The 1792 Half Disme is a historic numismatic rarity that ushered in the production of coinage for the United States of America. Alexander Hamilton was ordered by Congress, on April 15, 1790, to establish a Mint for our new country. Just over a year later, the Morris Bill was drafted, detailing the framework of the American coinage system. <br><br> By April, 1792, the Mint Act was passed; and, by order of George Washington, the first coin was set to be minted. The Half Disme was conceptualized by David Rittenhouse who went on to become the very first Mint Director. <br><br> Thomas Jefferson, himself, delivered the silver to the manufacturer, John Harper, who was a toolmaker by trade. Three months later, Harper presented Jefferson with 1,500 coins given the name Half Dismes, per the Mint Act. <br><br> The Half Dismes were struck using dies created by the engraver, Robert Birch. The Morris Bill required that the Half Dismes contain 0.8924 silver along with other metals for a total weight of 1.35 grams and a diameter of 17.5 millimeters. On November 6, 1792, these coins were put into circulation by the United States Mint as the first legal tender of our nation. <BR><BR> The mintage for the 1792 Half Disme was 1,500. Unfortunately, approximately just 275 are estimated to have survived in all grades with about 15% of those in mint state.