The First New 1795 Flowing Hair Half Dollar Variety in 91 years 0

[physics-fan3.14]

I don't recall having seen anything about this previously, but I may have missed it.

PCGS just certified the first new 1795 Flowing Hair Half Dollar variety in the past century. It is now "O-133."

Very interesting article about it here: https://coinweek.com/us-coins/pcgs-...ollar-variety-discovered-in-nearly-a-century/

[Alex in PA.]

And someone got a 'Discovery Coin' to boot.  Very interesting article; worth the read.

[scopru]

Great read.  Thanks for posting the link. 

[RWB]

These discoveries are always fun to read about! Congratulations to David Perkins for submitting and describing the new variety.

Minor error in the article: "Each obverse working die was started by impressing the portrait of Liberty using a master ‘hub die.’ "

The central portrait was made using a "matrix" not a hub. A matrix is a large punch containing a single design element such as a portrait, eagle, wreath, inscription, etc. A hub has the complete design in relief, omitting only all or part of the date. Further there is no such critter as a "hub die" -- it is one or the other. (A hub is in relief, a die is incuse. A hub can be used to produce a working die.)

Edited October 24, 2020 by RWB

[DWLange]

Roger is correct about the relative meanings of matrix and hub. Unfortunately, the term "matrix" is not well understood on this side of the Atlantic. It is used correctly within British numismatics.

[RWB]

Geeee....maybe we could try to do as well as the Brits !

[physics-fan3.14]

May seem like a silly question, but humor me: 

What's the difference between a "matrix" and a "punch"? 

[RWB]

7 hours ago, physics-fan3.14 said:

May seem like a silly question, but humor me: 

What's the difference between a "matrix" and a "punch"? 

A matrix is a complex device or design element mounted on the end of a punch. A punch is a rod or length of steel with anything from a flat or rounded, to a matrix on one end. A punch can be small and manually handled, or large enough to require mechanical aid to impress the design end. Collectors commonly think of a letter or digit punch. All of this seems to have come from printing and metalworking crafts.