Three 1795 Cohen 5-b thick planchet Half cents - cherry picks - Rarity-4

coinloverjon

**********This is a rough draft of the article I am putting together for the October 2025 Penny-Wise Issue to share with this group. Jon**********

Another fun Half Cent sub-variety to cherry pick from 1795 is the Cohen 5-b. (thick planchet, plain edge, Rarity-4, 76 to 200 estimated ).

A lot of times these are misdiagnosed as a damaged coin because of the die break on the reverse making the words HALF CENT and some of the surrounding leaves and lettering weak or illegible, especially in the later die states, especially if the coin has had a lot of circulation wear added to the mix.

Actually the break is a diagnostic of the C-4 and C-5 reverse in its different states

The first thing I look for when searching for one of these are the words HALF CENT being weak or gone.

These thicker versions of the C-5 are generally 1/4/ to 1/2 mm larger diameter than their thinner counterparts.

Walter Breen believed that the Mint may have used a larger planchet cutter on these, perhaps the one used for the US Half Eagle.

Breen also commented in his book (Walter Breen's Encyclopedia Of United States Half Cents 1793-1857) on page 150 that most of the thicker examples were crude and often made on defective cut down large cents many with cracks, splits and chips. (These sound like the perfect coins for this column)

I have managed to collect three examples of this variety in the last 10 years probably because many potential buyers were put off because of these defects and allowed me to collect these 'Not Very Pretty' examples for bargain basement prices.

This first example is my nicest one and also the first I acquired

It has a a straight planchet clip but still weighs in at 107.9 grains even with its missing edge.

The seller commented that its date was too worn to be definitive.

True the date is mostly worn away but its remaining detail are enough to reveal its age.

It has a "no pole" obverse with the L in LIBERTY close to the cap.

This obverse (Breen's # 3) is only used on the C-5 and C-6.

The reverse (C) with its die crack and the lowest leaf on the left side of the wreath pointing to the second upright of the letter N in UNITED if one rotates clockwise, cinch its ID as a C-5.

Its heavy weight make it a C5-b and for a nice price of $132.00, make it a great deal.

This second coin is in poorer condition but it still has enough meat left on it to make a positive identification

It has no trace of the pole and the L is close to the cap.

The reverse die break is obvious but worn down from extensive circulation.

Even with its extreme wear the weight is 106.4 grains.

This one I purchased for $117.50, a happy price in my opinion.

The third sample is also in a low grade and corroded.

Once again it has the above mentioned diagnostics remaining.

This seems to be a common wear pattern on heavily circulated examples.

It is made on a 105.7 grain planchet.

The best feature was its price of under $100.00 for a rarity #4 coin.

The dealer took my offer of $90.00.

He moved an unwanted (by most) ugly coin off of his shelf and I added another rarer variety to my collection.
A happy ending for everyone in this transaction