1795 Liberty & Security - Cord Border Penny

Coin Details

Description

Featuring a distinctive rope-like cord border encircling the obverse design, this 1795 Washington Liberty and Security penny in the larger approximately 33 mm format is cataloged as Baker 30A, Musante GW-42, and Whitman 10875. The cord (rope) border adds a decorative element that distinguishes this variety from the plain border penny, requiring a specially engraved die with the twisted-rope motif cut into the border area — an additional design detail that demonstrates the die engraver's intent to produce a more refined and visually distinctive piece. The larger penny size, compared to the halfpenny issues in the same series, provides substantially more surface area for the Washington bust and LIBERTY AND SECURITY legend, resulting in a more imposing numismatic presentation. The obverse features Washington's draped bust facing right, while the reverse carries heraldic or denominational devices consistent with the broader Liberty and Security series produced in England for the American market. The cord border motif was a decorative convention drawn from the British token-making tradition, where skilled die engravers in Birmingham and London incorporated elaborate border designs as both aesthetic enhancements and anti-counterfeiting measures. Scarce and less common than the plain border penny variant, the cord border variety is sought by Washington series specialists who appreciate the additional die work that elevates this piece above the more utilitarian plain-border examples and reflects the sophistication of late-eighteenth-century British medallic craftsmanship.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. The cord border penny is less common than the plain border.

Cross References

Baker 30A; Musante GW-42; Whitman 10875