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Incredible offering from the upcoming Stack's Bergstrom & Husky Collections - 1776 Continental d
Goldbully
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Description
1776 Continental dollar. Newman-2-C. Rarity-3. CURRENCY. Pewter. MS-65 (NGC).
This obverse shows CURRENCY properly spelled, without engraver's initials. This reverse displays links symbolizing the 13 colonies formed of solid lines around AMERICAN CONGRESS with its distinctive tiny "N" around WE / ARE / ONE. Here is a truly extraordinary example of one of America's most sought-after yet enigmatic coins, whose status and purpose were long debated by pioneer researchers from Sylvester S. Crosby to Eric Newman and John J. Ford Jr. The most modern research reveals that the Continental coins were closely tied to the February 1776 issue of Continental Currency, which omitted the $1 paper denomination in favor of this metallic issue, which could not be produced in the required numbers thanks to wartime shortages and the unsuccessful course of the war that saw the British occupation of New York City. For the collector of colonial and early American coins, this gleaming example is a dream coin. It boasts an amazing strike with full facial features on the sun, crisp numbers on the sundial and state names on the reverse. Full original lustre drenches both sides with just a wisp of darker toning on the highest points. Its reflectivity is rich and complements a bold strike and wealth of fine detail. No Newman 2-C of this quality has appeared at auction in recent years, and the John J. Ford Jr. piece described as MS-65 displayed distinctly darker overall surfaces. NGC has graded 20 examples of this type, with one in MS-65.
NGC Census: 1; 1 finer (MS-67).
Interestingly, although it seems unquestioned that the Continental dollar was an official issue of Congress, no documentation has been found concerning its production. Because of this, some writers, particularly in past times, have suggested that the 1787 Fugio copper was the first "official" United States coin. A more careful statement would be that the Fugio is the first extensively documented official United States regular issue coin. Earlier, and also well documented, are the illustrious and rare 1783 Nova Constellatio patterns.
In their time, the 1776 pewter Continental dollars saw wide and popular use. Grades such as Fine and Very Fine are often seen today. At lower Mint State levels they become scarce, and in the Gem quality offered here, very rare.
A Remarkable Collection
The Husky Collection, a title designated by the consignor, brings to the auction block one of the most remarkable offerings of our generation. With rarity after rarity, this relatively small offering in terms of numbers, might be likened to the numismatic equivalent of a gallery of Rembrandt paintings. Not often in numismatics have so many incredible coins been offered in a single catalogue.
Emphasis is on different design types, this in combination with aspects of history, art, romance, or other special significance. For example, Colonial coins, an extensive series, are represented by what might be deemed as the "poster example" from that era-the famous 1776 Continental dollar, the present piece being in remarkable Gem preservation. Cents and half cents overlook the usually seen issues and concentrate on the classics of the year 1793. Then comes the Flying Eagle cent type of 1856 to 1858, illustrated, as you might expect in reading this so far, not by a regular issue, but by the classic 1856. When one thinks of Lincoln cents, the 1909-S V.D.B. comes to mind. You will find a superb Gem here, but no others of the type!
The 1792 half disme, a coin of legend and lore, is represented by a Mint State example, one of the finest we have ever sold, quickly followed in the catalogue by a lustrous Mint State 1795 of the same denomination, after which will be found dimes representing a Mint State coin of the first year (1796) and the most famous of 20th century rarities (the 1916-D).
Quarter dollars begin with 1796, the first year of issue and the only one of its design type, and continue immediately to a remarkable Gem 1916 Standing Liberty rarity. Half dollars follow a similar thread-emphasis on rarity, quality, and classic nature. We will leave it to readers to go elsewhere to fill in the gaps of ordinary coinage! A 1794 half dollar leads the way, quickly followed by the seldom seen 1796, the equally rare 1797, a remarkable Proof 1836 Reeded Edge, and, for good measure, concluding with one of the rarest of all American coin types in Mint State-the 1839 Liberty Seated half dollar Without Drapery at the elbow.
Silver dollars commence with the famous 1794, the first year of issue, a classic rarity. Tradition has it that the Chapman brothers of Philadelphia, who were in business as partners from 1878 until well into the 20th century, identified this single coin variety as the only major American circulation strike they were never able to buy in an over the counter transaction. It should be noted that whenever a 1794 dollar crosses the block, excitement prevails, as it certainly will here. Among other dollars, a great "story coin" is the 1795 with a Mint-inserted silver plug. You will find a nice one here, in good company with several other early silver dollars. The comes a lovely Proof 1836 Gobrecht, followed by one of the most interesting coins we have ever offered (quite a statement for Stack's to make!): an 1851 Proof silver dollar prominently bearing an O (New Orleans) mintmark! So far as we know this is absolutely unique. Then follow other silver dollars such as the key 1893-S and one of the finest 1895 Proofs in existence.
Gold coins commence with a lustrous 1796 quarter eagle Without Obverse Stars, a curious design, some explanation for which is given in our description. This sets the stage for other early gold, quarter eagles through eagles, of the 1790s and early 19th century-a rarest of the rare, finest of the fine era of numismatics. Among other quarter eagles you will find a 1796 With Stars, the seldom seen 1797, one of the finest 1798 rarities you will ever see, and notable others, all in high grades. An 1808, the only year of its design type, is Mint State, projecting it as one of the finest extant. Later quarter eagles combine high grade and rarity in an offering that will be long remembered. When is the last time you had a chance to bid on so many quarter eagles prior to 1834? You will have to stop and do some serious thinking!
Among later quarter eagles, if a numismatic survey were to be made of the single most historically important variety, the winner would no doubt be the 1848, made of Gold Rush metal, with CAL. counterstamped on the reverse. You will find a nice one here.
Stellas, or $4 gold coins, have been famous for a long time, usually epitomized by the 1879 Flowing Hair. Here we have the far rarer variety, the 1880 Flowing Hair. An opportunity awaits!
Half eagles in the Husky Collection would make an award-winning exhibit all by themselves. Starting with 1795, the offering continues to include multiple examples from that first year of issue, followed by others dated before 1800, then into the 19th century with enough selections that the late Harry W. Bass, Jr., would have probably booked an airline flight immediately upon receiving the catalogue, to visit Stack's in person. It may be a long time until we offer a comparable selection. After a marvelous panorama of early half eagles, the listings evolve into major rarities, including 1810 Small Date, Small 5, a magnificent 1820, a lustrous 1823, a high quality 1824, and others.
Eagles or $10 gold are similarly memorable. The first year of issue, 1795, is represented not only by the usually seen variety with 13 leaves in the palm branch, but also the incredibly rare variety with just nine leaves. Other issues await your contemplation through and including 1804. The quality of these is such that is may be years before we offer comparable examples of certain of the issues. Then it is a jump through American history to 1907, landing on the Saint-Gaudens coinage of this year, exemplified by one each of the famous rarities, the incredibly elusive rolled rim variety and the rare wire rim, both of ultra-Gem quality.
Double eagles are next on the program, commencing with the low mintage 1860-O, then the historic 1861-S Paquet reverse, followed by the famous 1870-CC rarity and capped off by the 1879-O, the final double eagle issue of the New Orleans mint.
The pace of excitement continues with Gem examples of the octagonal and round $50 coins struck for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco, after which the limelight falls on territorial and pioneer coins. A lustrous 1860 Mormon $5 leads the way, in good company with an 1855 Wass, Molitor & Co. round $50, and a lustrous 1860 Clark, Gruber & Co. $10.
As a grand finale, as they might say in a fireworks display-and indeed the Husky Collection consists of numismatic fireworks-we have a Kellogg & Humbert gold ingot from the fabulous treasure recovered from the S.S. Central America. This is numismatic Americana at its finest. Remarkably, before this treasure was located, not a single large California gold ingot of any kind was known to exist! All in private collections as well as the Smithsonian Institution were tiny by comparison.
The curtain then comes down, and you, as a member of the audience at the Husky Collection Sale, will have memories that will last forever. Hopefully, you will also have some coins as tangible reminders of this incredible offering.
Minimum Bid: $190,000.00
I love the chained 13 colonies on the reverse...."We are one"
Stack's Link
1776 Continental dollar. Newman-2-C. Rarity-3. CURRENCY. Pewter. MS-65 (NGC).
This obverse shows CURRENCY properly spelled, without engraver's initials. This reverse displays links symbolizing the 13 colonies formed of solid lines around AMERICAN CONGRESS with its distinctive tiny "N" around WE / ARE / ONE. Here is a truly extraordinary example of one of America's most sought-after yet enigmatic coins, whose status and purpose were long debated by pioneer researchers from Sylvester S. Crosby to Eric Newman and John J. Ford Jr. The most modern research reveals that the Continental coins were closely tied to the February 1776 issue of Continental Currency, which omitted the $1 paper denomination in favor of this metallic issue, which could not be produced in the required numbers thanks to wartime shortages and the unsuccessful course of the war that saw the British occupation of New York City. For the collector of colonial and early American coins, this gleaming example is a dream coin. It boasts an amazing strike with full facial features on the sun, crisp numbers on the sundial and state names on the reverse. Full original lustre drenches both sides with just a wisp of darker toning on the highest points. Its reflectivity is rich and complements a bold strike and wealth of fine detail. No Newman 2-C of this quality has appeared at auction in recent years, and the John J. Ford Jr. piece described as MS-65 displayed distinctly darker overall surfaces. NGC has graded 20 examples of this type, with one in MS-65.
NGC Census: 1; 1 finer (MS-67).
Interestingly, although it seems unquestioned that the Continental dollar was an official issue of Congress, no documentation has been found concerning its production. Because of this, some writers, particularly in past times, have suggested that the 1787 Fugio copper was the first "official" United States coin. A more careful statement would be that the Fugio is the first extensively documented official United States regular issue coin. Earlier, and also well documented, are the illustrious and rare 1783 Nova Constellatio patterns.
In their time, the 1776 pewter Continental dollars saw wide and popular use. Grades such as Fine and Very Fine are often seen today. At lower Mint State levels they become scarce, and in the Gem quality offered here, very rare.
A Remarkable Collection
The Husky Collection, a title designated by the consignor, brings to the auction block one of the most remarkable offerings of our generation. With rarity after rarity, this relatively small offering in terms of numbers, might be likened to the numismatic equivalent of a gallery of Rembrandt paintings. Not often in numismatics have so many incredible coins been offered in a single catalogue.
Emphasis is on different design types, this in combination with aspects of history, art, romance, or other special significance. For example, Colonial coins, an extensive series, are represented by what might be deemed as the "poster example" from that era-the famous 1776 Continental dollar, the present piece being in remarkable Gem preservation. Cents and half cents overlook the usually seen issues and concentrate on the classics of the year 1793. Then comes the Flying Eagle cent type of 1856 to 1858, illustrated, as you might expect in reading this so far, not by a regular issue, but by the classic 1856. When one thinks of Lincoln cents, the 1909-S V.D.B. comes to mind. You will find a superb Gem here, but no others of the type!
The 1792 half disme, a coin of legend and lore, is represented by a Mint State example, one of the finest we have ever sold, quickly followed in the catalogue by a lustrous Mint State 1795 of the same denomination, after which will be found dimes representing a Mint State coin of the first year (1796) and the most famous of 20th century rarities (the 1916-D).
Quarter dollars begin with 1796, the first year of issue and the only one of its design type, and continue immediately to a remarkable Gem 1916 Standing Liberty rarity. Half dollars follow a similar thread-emphasis on rarity, quality, and classic nature. We will leave it to readers to go elsewhere to fill in the gaps of ordinary coinage! A 1794 half dollar leads the way, quickly followed by the seldom seen 1796, the equally rare 1797, a remarkable Proof 1836 Reeded Edge, and, for good measure, concluding with one of the rarest of all American coin types in Mint State-the 1839 Liberty Seated half dollar Without Drapery at the elbow.
Silver dollars commence with the famous 1794, the first year of issue, a classic rarity. Tradition has it that the Chapman brothers of Philadelphia, who were in business as partners from 1878 until well into the 20th century, identified this single coin variety as the only major American circulation strike they were never able to buy in an over the counter transaction. It should be noted that whenever a 1794 dollar crosses the block, excitement prevails, as it certainly will here. Among other dollars, a great "story coin" is the 1795 with a Mint-inserted silver plug. You will find a nice one here, in good company with several other early silver dollars. The comes a lovely Proof 1836 Gobrecht, followed by one of the most interesting coins we have ever offered (quite a statement for Stack's to make!): an 1851 Proof silver dollar prominently bearing an O (New Orleans) mintmark! So far as we know this is absolutely unique. Then follow other silver dollars such as the key 1893-S and one of the finest 1895 Proofs in existence.
Gold coins commence with a lustrous 1796 quarter eagle Without Obverse Stars, a curious design, some explanation for which is given in our description. This sets the stage for other early gold, quarter eagles through eagles, of the 1790s and early 19th century-a rarest of the rare, finest of the fine era of numismatics. Among other quarter eagles you will find a 1796 With Stars, the seldom seen 1797, one of the finest 1798 rarities you will ever see, and notable others, all in high grades. An 1808, the only year of its design type, is Mint State, projecting it as one of the finest extant. Later quarter eagles combine high grade and rarity in an offering that will be long remembered. When is the last time you had a chance to bid on so many quarter eagles prior to 1834? You will have to stop and do some serious thinking!
Among later quarter eagles, if a numismatic survey were to be made of the single most historically important variety, the winner would no doubt be the 1848, made of Gold Rush metal, with CAL. counterstamped on the reverse. You will find a nice one here.
Stellas, or $4 gold coins, have been famous for a long time, usually epitomized by the 1879 Flowing Hair. Here we have the far rarer variety, the 1880 Flowing Hair. An opportunity awaits!
Half eagles in the Husky Collection would make an award-winning exhibit all by themselves. Starting with 1795, the offering continues to include multiple examples from that first year of issue, followed by others dated before 1800, then into the 19th century with enough selections that the late Harry W. Bass, Jr., would have probably booked an airline flight immediately upon receiving the catalogue, to visit Stack's in person. It may be a long time until we offer a comparable selection. After a marvelous panorama of early half eagles, the listings evolve into major rarities, including 1810 Small Date, Small 5, a magnificent 1820, a lustrous 1823, a high quality 1824, and others.
Eagles or $10 gold are similarly memorable. The first year of issue, 1795, is represented not only by the usually seen variety with 13 leaves in the palm branch, but also the incredibly rare variety with just nine leaves. Other issues await your contemplation through and including 1804. The quality of these is such that is may be years before we offer comparable examples of certain of the issues. Then it is a jump through American history to 1907, landing on the Saint-Gaudens coinage of this year, exemplified by one each of the famous rarities, the incredibly elusive rolled rim variety and the rare wire rim, both of ultra-Gem quality.
Double eagles are next on the program, commencing with the low mintage 1860-O, then the historic 1861-S Paquet reverse, followed by the famous 1870-CC rarity and capped off by the 1879-O, the final double eagle issue of the New Orleans mint.
The pace of excitement continues with Gem examples of the octagonal and round $50 coins struck for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco, after which the limelight falls on territorial and pioneer coins. A lustrous 1860 Mormon $5 leads the way, in good company with an 1855 Wass, Molitor & Co. round $50, and a lustrous 1860 Clark, Gruber & Co. $10.
As a grand finale, as they might say in a fireworks display-and indeed the Husky Collection consists of numismatic fireworks-we have a Kellogg & Humbert gold ingot from the fabulous treasure recovered from the S.S. Central America. This is numismatic Americana at its finest. Remarkably, before this treasure was located, not a single large California gold ingot of any kind was known to exist! All in private collections as well as the Smithsonian Institution were tiny by comparison.
The curtain then comes down, and you, as a member of the audience at the Husky Collection Sale, will have memories that will last forever. Hopefully, you will also have some coins as tangible reminders of this incredible offering.
Minimum Bid: $190,000.00
I love the chained 13 colonies on the reverse...."We are one"
Stack's Link
0
Comments
Incredible numbering design!!!
Buy it for me for my birthday!
Is it possible that they were actually a speculative pattern issue that was produced circa 1787 (note the design similarities to the Fugio cent) with the coin's date merely signifying the year of American independence?
<< <i>Nice coin.
Buy it for me for my birthday! >>
<< <i>What contemporary evidence is there that supports the idea that these were struck in 1776? Are they specifically mentioned in written sources of that year?
Is it possible that they were actually a speculative pattern issue that was produced circa 1787 (note the design similarities to the Fugio cent) with the coin's date merely signifying the year of American independence? >>
The lack of published references to these contemporary to 1776 is indeed puzzling, but the design was certainly in use on paper money in 1776 and would have been a logical choice for a coin.
The fact that most pewter strikes are well circulated supports the belief that they are a wartime emergency coin rather than a back-dated souvenir commemorative, which would have been saved in nice condition if that had been the case.
The Fugio cent was copied from it, not the other way around.
TD