This is a half dollar that has been cut to form a "bit," piece. In colonial America there was no paper money, so coins were cut into pieces or "bits," to make change (i.e., "two bits, four bits, six bits a dollar…"). This is a 1/4 cut coin. It is a capped bust lettered edge half dollar. These coins were minted from 1807 to 1836.

Keywords

Personal, Monetary, Coin

AAS Catalog Number

2004-666-32-3-38

General Provenience

Lot 35 Tavern Cellar