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Slightly smaller than a modern dime and weighing half as much, it’s the finest surviving 1792-dated half disme (pronounced, “deem”), an early spelling of the word, dime.
“It’s one of the most important coins in early American history. It was purchased in July by the Cardinal Collection Educational Foundation of Sunnyvale for a record price, $1.5 million. This will be its first-ever public appearance in Northern California,” said Ronald J. Gillio, Santa Clara Expo General Chairman.
The foundation supports research about early American money. The historic coin will be jointly displayed by the foundation and the seller, Rare Coin Wholesalers of Dana Point, California.
In addition to seeing the debut exhibit at the collectibles show, the public can attend educational seminars by eBay, “Buying and Selling on eBay,” at Noon on both Friday and Saturday, November 2nd and 3rd.
“The extraordinary half disme silver coin was struck in the basement of a Philadelphia saw-maker’s shop in July 1792 when the United States Mint was not yet operational,” explained Martin Logies, President of the foundation.
“The little half dismes were the very first coins authorized by President Washington under the Mint Act of 1792. Thomas Jefferson, who was Secretary of State at the time, personally received the coins on behalf of Washington. Less than 400 surviving examples are known today from the 1,500 total that were recorded made in 1792, and this is the finest known specimen.”
“Many 19th century collectors referred to the coin’s design as the ‘Martha Washington half disme’ because the portrait resembled the President’s wife,” s aid Logies. “However, the head’s side of the coin actually depicts a symbolic female representation of Liberty.”
The four-day Santa Clara Expo also features a rare coin auction by Superior Galleries of Beverly Hills, California; a children’s treasure hunt between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Saturday, November 3; and a gold coin door prize will be awarded each day of the show. More than 400 dealers will be buying and selling rare coins, paper money, stamps, historic documents and estate jewelry.
The Santa Clara Expo is co-sponsored by the Cupertino Coin Club.
Public hours are Thursday, November 1st, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, November 2nd and 3rd, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; and Sunday, November 4th, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $6 (good for all four days); $3 for seniors (65 and up) and children 8 to 16; children 7 and under admitted free.
Free parking is available at the Santa Clara Convention Center, 5001 Great America Parkway.
For additional information, call Expos Unlimited at (805) 962-9939. Online: www.SantaClaraExpo.com.