1844 Uruguay 'Peso del Sitio' over US Draped Bust Dollar

Was browsing old catalogs on the Newman Numismatic Portal when I ran across this piece, almost certainly unique. Sold as Lot 1749 of the 'Treasures of Two Oceans' sale held by Hans Schulman from Feb. 6-8, 1969; since then, haven't heard of it (did it enter into a private collection or was it called a forgery?). A very interesting overstrike, if genuine!
Lot Description: U.S. Rarity. Montevideo Peso 844 struck on U.S. Silver Dollar of type 1798-1804. Large eagle reverse. Visible points of the undercoin are: left side 6 stars and "L" of Liberty. Ribbon and one curl. On reverse: "UNITED STAT". Lower portion of shield, arrows and left wing of eagle. Imperfect casting causing interesting edge. Probably unique, and of greatest historical numismatic interest. ($2,000-3,000.)
The overstrike is rare; it was a single-year siege issue of an estimated 1500 pieces produced by the city of Montevideo during the Uruguayan Civil War. Silver for the issue was apparently provided by the city's residents with what coinage was on hand. Other known host coins apparently include an 1837 Bolivian 8 Soles, an 1813 Spanish 8 Relaes, and Two Sicilies Ducat.
Sorry for the poor photos, but I only have the original auction catalog scans, which don't show much detail of the Bust Dollar:
Comments
There was one in Kagin's 1983 ANA sale, which looks to be a different example. I think one came up to auction in the first half of the 1990's, but I can't seem to find that one in the NNP.
Ed. S.
(EJS)
That's a pretty cool coin and bit of numismatic history.
8 Reales Madness Collection
Nice to see NNP being put to greater use!
@ChopmarkedTrades
This coin is now in the ANS collection. We've had it since 1987. It is overstruck a 1798 dollar, Bolender 8. There is another example known over a 1799 dollar. Unfortunately, I don't yet have photos of ours to share, but when the present mess cleans up (COVID-19, for those of you who come across this post years from now), I will be sure to have some taken and posted here. It really is a cool coin. I was looking at it a few months ago. Here is our database entry for it.
@RogerB : Agreed!
Jesse C. Kraft, Ph.D.
Resolute Americana Curator of American Numismatics
American Numismatic Society
New York City
Member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA), British Numismatic Society (BNS), New York Numismatic Club (NYNC), Early American Copper (EAC), the Colonial Coin Collectors Club (C4), U.S. Mexican Numismatic Association (USMNA), Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC), Token and Medal Society (TAMS), and life member of the Atlantic County Numismatic Society (ACNS).
Become a member of the American Numismatic Society!
Thanks Jesse! You are quickly making a big contribution to this forum.
Latin American Collection
You're welcome, @Boosibri , and thank you for the kind comment. I'm happy to share the treasures that lie in the ANS collection.
Jesse C. Kraft, Ph.D.
Resolute Americana Curator of American Numismatics
American Numismatic Society
New York City
Member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA), British Numismatic Society (BNS), New York Numismatic Club (NYNC), Early American Copper (EAC), the Colonial Coin Collectors Club (C4), U.S. Mexican Numismatic Association (USMNA), Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC), Token and Medal Society (TAMS), and life member of the Atlantic County Numismatic Society (ACNS).
Become a member of the American Numismatic Society!
As promised, here are photos of the 1844 Uruguay Peso del Sitio struck over a 1798 United States dollar.
These are, obviously, not official ANS photos, but taken from my phone in an attempt to show the undertype. In the first photo, you can see the remnants of an "8" in between the "A" and "Y" of Uruguay, as well as the bust of Liberty. The shield and parts of the eagle from the reverse are much more noticeable in the second image. All of this, and more, is much more easy to see with coin in hand. My apologies for the photos not being the best, but even these were not easy to capture.
Jesse C. Kraft, Ph.D.
Resolute Americana Curator of American Numismatics
American Numismatic Society
New York City
Member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA), British Numismatic Society (BNS), New York Numismatic Club (NYNC), Early American Copper (EAC), the Colonial Coin Collectors Club (C4), U.S. Mexican Numismatic Association (USMNA), Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC), Token and Medal Society (TAMS), and life member of the Atlantic County Numismatic Society (ACNS).
Become a member of the American Numismatic Society!
That is awesome!
Latin American Collection
I love it. What an excellent find. I could study it all day. Peace Roy
BST: endeavor1967, synchr, kliao, Outhaul, Donttellthewife, U1Chicago, ajaan, mCarney1173, SurfinHi, MWallace, Sandman70gt, mustanggt, Pittstate03, Lazybones, Walkerguy21D, coinandcurrency242 , thebigeng, Collectorcoins, JimTyler, USMarine6, Elkevvo, Coll3ctor, Yorkshireman, CUKevin, ranshdow, CoinHunter4, bennybravo, Centsearcher, braddick, Windycity, ZoidMeister, mirabela, JJM, RichURich, Bullsitter, jmski52, LukeMarshall, coinsarefun, MichaelDixon, NickPatton, ProfLiz, Twobitcollector,Jesbroken oih82w8, DCW
For such a low mintage emergency issue, that is some impressive diework.
Thanks for posting the photos.. I'd sure like a pro photographer to visit the ANS Collection one day. Would be a great book
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
"Coin collecting for outcasts..."
We do have a professional photographer on staff, but he can only go through so much at one time. Remember that there are nearly 1,000,000 objects here. Our online database currently has 583,124 objects (with more added daily), though only 165,385 have photos (also growing daily). Coins, medals, tokens, and paper from Uruguay is kind of embarrassing, as we have 1,097 different objects online, but only 3 are photographed!!! Again, not blaming our photographer because he works his butt off to get things done at the highest possible quality, but there's only so much we can do in a day.
Jesse C. Kraft, Ph.D.
Resolute Americana Curator of American Numismatics
American Numismatic Society
New York City
Member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA), British Numismatic Society (BNS), New York Numismatic Club (NYNC), Early American Copper (EAC), the Colonial Coin Collectors Club (C4), U.S. Mexican Numismatic Association (USMNA), Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC), Token and Medal Society (TAMS), and life member of the Atlantic County Numismatic Society (ACNS).
Become a member of the American Numismatic Society!
We also have a "normal" specimen, as well as a lead trial piece.
Jesse C. Kraft, Ph.D.
Resolute Americana Curator of American Numismatics
American Numismatic Society
New York City
Member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA), British Numismatic Society (BNS), New York Numismatic Club (NYNC), Early American Copper (EAC), the Colonial Coin Collectors Club (C4), U.S. Mexican Numismatic Association (USMNA), Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC), Token and Medal Society (TAMS), and life member of the Atlantic County Numismatic Society (ACNS).
Become a member of the American Numismatic Society!
oh that's cool, nice!
Wow, I'm glad I saw this thread. That's amazing!
Kewlness Factor 11!
^
What he said!