1795 1/2P Washington - Grate Brass Half Penny

Coin Details

Description

Cataloged as Baker 29A, Musante GW-49, Whitman 10880, and PCGS #90746, this 1795 Washington Grate halfpenny struck in brass is a scarcer compositional variant of the popular Grate token type, which derives its name from the distinctive reverse design featuring a fireplace grate or iron grating. Weighing 9 grams with a 29 mm diameter and plain edge, the brass composition gives this piece a warm golden-yellow appearance that distinguishes it immediately from the standard copper Grate halfpennies, which exhibit the familiar reddish-brown tones of oxidized copper. Brass — a copper-zinc alloy — was used less frequently than copper for token production because it required the additional step of alloying and was marginally more expensive, resulting in smaller production runs and correspondingly lower survival rates. The Washington Grate tokens were produced by British manufacturers during the mid-1790s, pairing Washington's portrait obverse with the unusual grate reverse that sets this series apart visually from other Washington halfpenny types. The grate design's origin and symbolism remain debated among numismatic scholars — whether it represents a specific fireplace, an industrial grating, or a purely decorative element chosen for its visual distinctiveness rather than any symbolic meaning. Scarce in brass, this variety commands a premium over copper examples because of its lower mintage and the visual appeal of the brass color, which some collectors prefer for its resemblance to gold-colored metals.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. Brass examples are less common than copper.

Cross References

Baker 29A; Musante GW-49; Whitman 10880