½ Penny - Nova Constellatio “Pointed Rays”

Features

Issuer	United States (pre-federal and private/territorial)
Type	Emergency coinage › Merchant tokens
Year	1785
Value	½ Penny (1⁄480)
Currency	Pound
Composition	Copper
Weight	7.91 g
Diameter	26.5 mm
Thickness	1.5 mm
Shape	Round
Technique	Milled
Orientation	Medal alignment ↑↑
Demonetized	Yes
Number	N# 74006
References	KM# EA9 Standard Catalog of World Coins (86 volumes).

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Obverse

Wreath around the initials US in script font and surrounded by a legend.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
LIBERTAS ET JUSTITIA
• 1785 •

Translation: Liberty and Justice

Reverse

Pointed rays emanating from the Eye of Providence (all-seeing eye of God) surrounded by a circle (constellation) of thirteen stars representing the original 13 colonies.

Script: Latin

Lettering: NOVA CONSTELLATIO

Translation: New Constellation

Edge

Plain

Comments

The large and small date varieties can be distinguished by the presence (large date) or lack (small date) of dots (•) on either side of the date. Additional die varieties exist. Only 1785 dated coins use the script lettering for the US on the reverse; block lettering is found on 1783 and 1786 dated coins. 1785 dated coins with blunt rays on the obverse are KM#EA8.

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Date		Frequency
Undetermined
1785	Large Date	93%
1785	Small Date	7%

Frequencies show the percentage of Numista users who own each year or variety among all the users who own this coin. Since some users own several versions, the sum may be greater than 100%.

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Numista Rarity index: 78 Search tips

This index is based on the data of Numista members collections. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members.