: With five live sessions plus an online session left to go,
Heritage Auction Galleries' reported that its official auction of
the Central States Numismatic Society Convention had already
realized more than $10.5 million, including $1,322,500 for the
1792 half disme, which hails from the Floyd Starr collection,
purchased by a private collector who wishes to remain anonymous.
"This is not only a spectacular coin, but a significant piece of
American history as well," said Greg Rohan, president of
Heritage. "Despite opinions to the contrary, this issue is the
first circulating American coin struck under authority of the
Mint Act of April 1792."
A storied and exciting piece of American coinage, the 1792 half
disme was struck at the behest of Thomas Jefferson, who, as head
of the Department of State, also had charge of the nation's mint.
Jefferson ordered the coins made on July 11, 1792, and took
delivery of them on July 13, 1792, when his datebook reads,
"Recd. From the Mint 1500 half dimes of the new coinage."
"The half disme offered here, from the Floyd Starr collection, is
probably the finest known example, and it is certified by PCGS as
a specimen strike, the only such piece to receive this
designation," added Rohan. "It is a spectacular, fully struck
coin.
"Given its obvious specimen status," Rohan said, "this might well
have been the very first United States coin actually released by
the Treasury Department, perhaps a special gift to a friend of
the United States or even to George Washington himself. That
notwithstanding, this is, by its very nature, an important piece
of American history."
Prices reported include buyer's premium. For information,
800-872-6467 or www.heritageauctions.com.
