1783 Washington - Unity States Cent

Coin Details

Auction Record

$28,200 • AU55 • 01-2015 • Heritage Auctions

Description

Cataloged as Baker 1A, Musante GW-107, and Whitman 10350, the 1783 Washington "UNITY STATES" cent is one of the most famous and recognizable pieces in all of colonial-era numismatics. The reverse legend reads UNITY STATES OF AMERICA instead of the expected UNITED STATES, a discrepancy that has been debated for over two centuries — whether it represents a deliberate variation, an error by the British die sinker unfamiliar with the correct national title, or even a phonetic rendering reflecting the engraver's pronunciation. The obverse features Washington's military bust in uniform, consistent with other Washington tokens produced in England during the early 1780s for circulation in the American market. Regardless of its origin, the "Unity States" inscription has made this piece especially popular with collectors, combining the appeal of a Washington portrait token with the irresistible mystique of a legend error on one of America's earliest quasi-national coinages. Scarce and highly sought after, the Unity States cent consistently commands premium prices at auction relative to standard-legend Washington cents of the same period. The piece circulated alongside a diverse mix of foreign coins, state coppers, and privately issued tokens during the chaotic monetary landscape of the Confederation era, before the establishment of the United States Mint in 1792 brought order to the nation's coinage.

Rarity Notes

Scarce and highly popular. The "Unity States" error is a famous colonial variety.

Cross References

Baker 1A; Musante GW-107; Whitman 10350