1792 Washington Getz Pattern Bronze Idler Copy Half Dollar

Coin Details

Description

Produced by Christopher Idler in the 1860s as a reproduction of the 1792 Washington Getz Pattern, this bronze copy half dollar is cataloged as Baker 25C, Musante GW-27, and Whitman 10710 (PCGS #784348). Idler, a Philadelphia die sinker active during the Civil War era, created copies of colonial coins for the growing collector market. Struck in bronze at approximately 13 grams with a 33 mm diameter and plain edge, this reproduces Peter Getz's Washington bust obverse with WASHINGTON PRESIDENT and heraldic eagle reverse. The bronze composition distinguishes it from Idler's copper versions and from the Getz originals. Idler copies have become collectible in their own right as examples of mid-nineteenth-century numismatic craftsmanship. The original 1792 Getz patterns are among the most important early American pattern coins, struck in the year the Mint was established as proposals for national coinage featuring Washington's portrait — a concept ultimately rejected in favor of allegorical Liberty figures. Bronze Idler copies are rare, representing one of several metal variants in which Idler reproduced the Getz design.

Rarity Notes

Rare. Bronze Idler copies are among the less common metal variants.

Cross References

Baker 25C; Musante GW-27; Whitman 10710