photo of gem 1787 massachusetts half cent the FIRST halfcent in the USA

[michael]

[michael]

if you collect half cents you NEED this coin for type and/or a date set

 

it is the first coin to have the word cent on it and of course the first usa halfcent to have the word halfcent on it and was struck in the state of mass in the city of boston

 

thr first halfcent of the american colonies/the federal usa

 

you cant get anymore american and usa than that and it even circulated into the early 19th century

[rexcat]

Hi Michael,

 

Dats one really pretty coin

 

I just love the glossy finish and deep rich color, you got to wonder who's collections it has been in over the years.

 

So old.... yet looks sooo good.

 

I find it almost unbeleivable some one could produce the relief that it has on a hand powered screw press, imagine the work out you would get squeezing them out all day.

 

It makes me go purrrr...

[Merc]

Interesting coin. I have never seen one in any condition. This is such a high grade one too. Someone kept it safe for a long time.

[michael]

thanks for all the great insightful responses

 

myself this coin is amazingly struck and well preserved with clean smooth unmolested flat hard surfaces with a great thick patina and for a coin that was struck on a hand powered screw press my wild outrageous guess is that someone picked out a nice coin of this first year and demonination that was struck and saved it for some unknown reason

[TomB]

Nice piece, Michael!

 

These, along with the one cent MA pieces, are probably the best-made pre-Federal issues we have ever seen. Of course, finding one with the eye appeal of yours is nearly unheard of, but the general look of them is far superior to, let's say, a VT or CT.

 

[michael]

thanks tom

 

you always got something good to say as you are an astute advanced collector and you are extremely well written too