THE EARLIEST FIVE-POINTED STAR ON A U.S. COIN?
The E-Sylum (2/14/2010)
Book Content
Last week Mark Borckardt asked:
What is the earliest appearance of a five-pointed star on any U.S. Federal regular-issue coin?
Bob Hewey writes:
My vote would be the 1792 Half Disme, where the star appears below the denomination. Otherwise, I would say it is the 1794 Starred Reverse large cent.
Tom DeLorey writes:
The Barber quarter and half dollar, reverse only.
The Barber coins are regular issues, but the 1792 Half Disme isn't a product of the U.S. Mint, and the 1794 Starred Reverse cent isn't exactly regular issue, either. Great choices, but that wasn't what Mark was looking for. -Editor
Mark Borckardt writes:
The correct answer, to the best of my knowledge, is in 1814, when a five pointed star first appeared as part of the Lettered Edge on Capped Bust half dollars. Attached is a photo, the best I have available. To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see: QUERY: EARLIEST FIVE-POINTED STAR ON A U.S. COIN (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v13n06a09.html)