1795 1/2 P North Wales - Lettered Edge Half Penny

Coin Details

Description

Cataloged as Baker 34C, Musante GW-54, Whitman 10960, and PCGS #773, this 1795 Washington North Wales halfpenny with lettered edge is the scarcer edge variant compared to the plain edge type, with the edge inscription providing an additional design element that required a separate edge-lettering collar during the striking process. Struck in copper, weighing 9 grams with a 29 mm diameter, the lettered edge transforms this token from a simple two-sided piece into a three-dimensional artifact where the edge contributes meaningful text or ornamentation. North Wales halfpennies derive their name from the reverse die's association with the Welsh principality, and they were manufactured by British token producers who combined Washington portrait obverse dies with existing reverse dies from their commercial inventory. The additional manufacturing step required for edge lettering — whether applied by a Castaing machine or impressed through a lettered collar — increased production costs and complexity, which typically resulted in smaller production runs compared to plain edge variants, explaining the relative scarcity of lettered edge North Wales halfpennies documented in the surviving population. Rare within the North Wales halfpenny series, the lettered edge variety is the most sought-after edge treatment for collectors building comprehensive sets organized by edge types. British token manufacturers of the 1790s offered multiple edge options as a way to differentiate products and extend the commercial life of existing die pairs, and the lettered edge represented the premium option requiring the most sophisticated manufacturing technology.

Rarity Notes

Rare. Lettered edge North Wales halfpennies are scarcer than plain edge.

Cross References

Baker 34C; Musante GW-54; Whitman 10960