1793 Washington Ship Half Penny Question 0

[jayavo]

I have a Washington Ship Half Penny graded by NGC. It does not say whether it is plain or lettered edge. Do I assume it is lettered? Is there a way to tell the difference when a coin is slabbed?

Thanks

J

[Conder101]

If it is slabbed in one of the earlier holders before they started using prongs the answer is No.  This is too bad because while D&H 1051 with the lettered edge is common, 1051a with the plain edge is extremely rare. (The plain edge pieces are probably just errors that missed passing through the edge lettering step.  That would explain why they are so rare, they were not made that way intentionally.) 

[Henri Charriere]

[It seems to me the only way this can be resolved, responsibly, and if the disparity in price justifies it, is through re-submission to NGC but this will likely involve an additional expense.]

[RWB]

Ground penetrating radar will show if the edge is lettered or plain.

[jayavo]

Thanks for the help. It's an older holder so I think I will resubmit since my radar doesn't penetrate the ground. Worth a shot.