1795 Liberty & Security - Asylum Edge Half Penny

Coin Details

Auction Record

$7,200 • AU55 • 01-2016 • Heritage Auctions

Description

Cataloged as Baker 31E, Musante GW-45, Whitman 10850, and PCGS #761, this 1795 Washington Liberty & Security halfpenny carries the celebrated Asylum edge inscription reading "AN ASYLUM FOR THE OPPRESSED OF ALL NATIONS" — one of the most eloquent statements of American idealism to appear on any piece of early American numismatic material. Struck in copper, weighing 9.5 grams, with a 29 mm diameter, this piece combines Washington's bust on the obverse with the LIBERTY AND SECURITY legend, pairing the image of the man most credited with securing American independence with two foundational values of the new republic. The Asylum edge inscription transforms a standard commercial token into a declaration of national purpose, articulating the vision of America as a refuge for the persecuted peoples of the world — a sentiment that resonated powerfully during the 1790s when political refugees from the French Revolution and other European upheavals were arriving in the United States. An auction record of $7,200 for an AU55 example at Heritage Auctions in January 2016 demonstrates sustained collector interest in this variety. Very rare, the Asylum edge is the rarest of the three edge treatments documented for this halfpenny type — the other two being the London edge and the plain edge — making it the most sought-after variant for collectors building a complete edge-variety set of the Liberty & Security halfpenny series.

Rarity Notes

Very rare. The Asylum edge is the rarest of the three edge varieties.

Cross References

Baker 31E; Musante GW-45; Whitman 10850