Whitman Expo
1792 Birch Cent, LE, TO BE ESTEEMED * BE USEFUL Pattern Cent MS RB J-4 Values
Details
The style of the 1792 silver half disme is related to that of the famous copper Birch cent of the same year signed BIRCH, giving reason to attribute the authorship of the half disme to Birch as well.
Obverse: Liberty, facing right, bright-eyed and almost smiling, BIRCH lettered on neck truncation. Inscription LIBERTY PARENT OF SCIENCE & INDUSTRY around, and with the date 1792 just below the bust. On the truncation of the neck appears the word BIRCH, for the engraver of the dies. Today, no one has positively identified which Birch made the dies—perhaps William Birch or Robert Birch.
Reverse: Wreath enclosing ONE CENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around border. 1/100 below wreath.
Mint & Coinage Details
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
6–7 known
Coinage Type:
Pattern
Coinage Years:
1792
Composition:
Copper
Varieties and Classification
Variety:
Birch Cent, LE, TO BE ESTEEMED * BE USEFUL
Variety 2:
J-4
Rarity:
R-L7
Physical Characteristics
Strike Type:
Business
Coin Shape:
Round
Design Details
Designer:
William or Robert Birch
Obverse Lettering:
LIBERTY PARENT OF SCIENCE & INDUSTRY, BIRCH, 1792
Obverse Designer:
William or Robert Birch
Reverse Lettering:
ONE CENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 1/100
Reverse Designer:
William or Robert Birch
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