Owner Comments:
This 1826 half cent is the more common of the two varieties that are known for this year. Roger Cohen listed it as C-1.
The diagnostic feature of the variety is the patch of raised lines that to the right of the date. When the die sinker was making this die, he punched the “6” in the date too far to the right. Noting his error, he filled in the spot leaving behind a patch of marks to the right of the date. Another characteristic of the variety is that the dies are usually rotated. In this case the ration is about 15 degrees as noted in the photo. This variety is also noted for very sharp strikes in which all of Ms. Liberty’s hair is shown in sharp detail. This feature is noted even on coins in Extremely Fine condition.
The piece is a very attractive MS-64, brown copper coin. It is far from a condition census piece because dozens of examples of this variety are known in Mint State.
This design, which is known as the Classic Head type, was developed by Jon Reich. Reich, who came to this the United States as an indentured servant, was at the time the most talented die sinker in America. President Thomas Jefferson recognized his talent and helped him get a job at the Philadelphia mint. During his time there, Reich redesigned every U.S. coin that was then in production. His efforts went largely unrewarded, however, since he never received a raise or a promotion during his more than decade long service to the facility. Other mint employees were jealous Reich’s talent and probably his connections with Thomas Jefferson.