The 1859 Half Dime, A New Type Coin?
BillJones
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In 1859 James Longacre asked his new assistant, Anthony Paquet, to make a new obverse dime for the half dime. Paquet’s version of the design had stars that were hollow in the centers and a seated liberty with thinner arms, a broader base, and other minor differences. Paquet’s seated liberty was issued for only one year, and it was struck only at the Philadelphia mint. It was used for the regular issue Philadelphia mint coins and the very rare 1859 transitional pattern half dimes that had the new reverse that was introduced on the half dime in 1860. Here is a comparison of the 1858 half dime and Paquet’s 1959 half dime.
Modern critics have not been kind in their treatment of Paquet’s work on the half dime, but it caused far less criticism than his reverse for the $20 gold piece that appeared in 1861. Soon after Paquet’s $20 reverse went into production, it was found that the protective rim was too narrow, which left the coin prone to excessive abrasion. Almost all of the Philadelphia mint coins were melted, but a small number of San Francisco mint piece did reach circulation. Today the Philadelphia coins with the Paquet reverse are major rarities, and the San Francisco pieces are very scarce.
Paquet’s best talents as an engraver were in the field of medals. In that area he produced some very nice designs, but these two missteps provide evidence that he was not comfortable in the production of dies for coins.
Modern critics have not been kind in their treatment of Paquet’s work on the half dime, but it caused far less criticism than his reverse for the $20 gold piece that appeared in 1861. Soon after Paquet’s $20 reverse went into production, it was found that the protective rim was too narrow, which left the coin prone to excessive abrasion. Almost all of the Philadelphia mint coins were melted, but a small number of San Francisco mint piece did reach circulation. Today the Philadelphia coins with the Paquet reverse are major rarities, and the San Francisco pieces are very scarce.
Paquet’s best talents as an engraver were in the field of medals. In that area he produced some very nice designs, but these two missteps provide evidence that he was not comfortable in the production of dies for coins.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
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Comments
I guess I'd refer to the 1859 Half Dime as a "variety" rather than a "type", but, it's possible that I could be persuaded otherwise. Either way, I like your thinking.
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
Tom
We believe a subtype occurs when an existing design is modified but the basic design, theme or concept remains (both of these coins depict the Seated Liberty design). As other examples, the two reverses of the Indian Head 5-cent coin represent subtypes, since the basic design theme is the same on both: a bison. The major differences between the two subtypes, of course, involve the ground on which the bison stands. We refer to these subtypes as the Bison on Mound (what many call Type 1 or Variety 1) and the Bison on Plain (what many call Type 2 or Variety 2).
We believe that "variety" is best left to "die variety," or the difference between two dies for the same type or subtype (such as different placement of date or other design elements).
Of course, some designs are harder to classify. Are the two Indian Head gold dollars different types or is the second, Large Head version a subtype of the first, Small Head version? I could argue both sides.
William T. Gibbs
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BC
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