1795 PCGS AU-50 US Liberty Cap Half Cent “Plain Edge” Copper Coin
The first half cents produced by the US Mint were the Liberty Cap Half Cents, crafted from 1793 to 1797 at the Philadelphia Mint.
This edition, in particular, is known as the “Plain Edge, No Pole” strike because, unlike other editions, these coins have a smooth edge, not lettered or gripped, and lack the pole supporting the liberty cap.
These coins are made entirely of copper and showcase Lady Liberty as the main design element.
At SD Bullion, you can acquire authentic 1795 Liberty Cap Half Cent Plain Edge Copper Coins, graded by PCGS as AU-50 samples.
Coin Highlights
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Appraised, encapsulated, and graded as an AU-50 coin by PCGS;
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Produced by the US Mint;
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Issued in the Philadelphia Mint;
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Known as “Plain Edge, No Pole” strike;
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Holds a half-cent denomination and legal tender status in the US;
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The obverse features Lady Liberty;
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The reverse features the coin’s monetary denomination.
The Design
The 1795 edition features a right-facing portrait of Lady Liberty with long, flowing hair cascading over her shoulders. Behind her head, the symbolic liberty cap rests on an invisible pole, though in this “No Pole” variety, the supporting staff is absent, giving the cap a freer, floating appearance.
The word “LIBERTY” arches over the top of the design, and the date “1795” is engraved on the bottom.
The reverse displays a wreath of leaves, tied at the base with a ribbon, encircling the denomination “HALF CENT” in two lines. Around the edge reads “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”
A PCGS AU-50 coin
PCGS - Professional Coin Grading Service is a third-party service that appraises and grades coins independently of sovereign mints, using the Sheldon Grading Scale, which ranges from 1 to 70.
AU-50 stands for Almost or About Uncirculated and describes a coin with slight wear on more than 50% of the design image and minor softness on high elements.