1792 Dime Pattern - J-9a, THICK FLAN

Coin Details

Description

Cataloged as Judd-9a, this variety of the 1792 disme was struck on a noticeably thicker planchet than the standard silver specimens. The obverse and reverse designs are identical to those of the regular 1792 silver disme (Judd-9) — Liberty facing left with flowing hair on the obverse, an eagle with spread wings and the denomination DISME on the reverse, encircled by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Struck in silver. The thick flan distinguishes this piece from standard-weight dismes and indicates it was an experimental striking to test die performance on heavier planchets, or an early impression before planchet specifications were fully standardized. The 1792 dismes as a group hold enormous historical significance as among the very first coins struck under federal authority, produced at John Harper's workshop in Philadelphia before the Mint building was completed. Extremely rare in any form, the thick flan variety is particularly scarce among surviving specimens.