1795 1D Liberty and Security Bust Right

Coin Details

Description

Cataloged as Baker 30, Musante GW-41, Whitman 10870, and PCGS #764, this 1795 Washington Liberty and Security penny denomination (1D) features a bust-right portrait of Washington paired with the LIBERTY AND SECURITY legend that characterized this popular token series. Struck in copper, weighing 12 grams with a 33 mm diameter and plain edge, the penny denomination is notably less common than the halfpenny format within the Liberty and Security series, making this full-penny variant a scarcer find for collectors building comprehensive sets. The larger planchet required for the penny denomination provides a more spacious canvas for the portrait and legend design elements compared to the halfpenny, and the increased weight gives the piece a more substantial feel in hand. British manufacturers produced the Liberty and Security tokens during the mid-1790s for the American market, combining Washington's universally recognized portrait with ideals — liberty and security — that resonated deeply with the young republic's self-image. The bust-right orientation follows the conventional numismatic portrait tradition, placing Washington's profile in the standard rightward-facing position used on most contemporary British and American token portraiture. Scarce as the less-frequently produced penny denomination, this piece appeals particularly to collectors who seek to document the full range of denominations, edge types, and compositional variants within the Liberty and Security token series that Baker, Musante, and Whitman catalog under multiple adjacent numbers.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. The penny denomination is less common than halfpennies in this series.

Cross References

Baker 30; Musante GW-41; Whitman 10870