1792 Washington Getz Pattern Silvered White Metal Idler Copy Half Dollar

Coin Details

Description

Cataloged as Baker 25D, Musante GW-27, and Whitman 10710 with PCGS #889673, this silvered white metal Idler copy reproduces the celebrated 1792 Getz pattern half dollar originally engraved by Peter Getz of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The original Getz patterns were among the proposed designs for the first United States coinage, featuring Washington's military bust on the obverse and a heraldic eagle on the reverse. C.C. Idler, a 19th-century Philadelphia numismatist, produced copies from transfer dies to satisfy collector demand for this iconic early American pattern. The silvered white metal composition is uncommon among Idler copies, which were more typically struck in copper or plain white metal, making this variant rare within an already specialized collecting category. Weighing 12 grams with a 33 mm diameter and plain edge, the piece captures Getz's distinctive portrait style that depicted Washington in contemporary military dress rather than the classical Roman styling favored by some competing designers. The silvering process applied a thin layer of silver to the white metal surface, giving the copy the appearance of a silver striking and enhancing the visual detail of the design elements.

Rarity Notes

Rare. Silvered white metal is an uncommon composition for Idler copies.

Cross References

Baker 25D; Musante GW-27; Whitman 10710