May 28, 2001, The Fairchild Family Trust Collection, Sale 10
Lot 26
(c. 1779) Rhode Island Ship
Medal, with wreath, silver wash. PCGS graded AU-55. This coin has
been silver washed, to make it pass as if it were silver back around its time
of issue perhaps. Well struck with most of the devices clear and well centered
on the planchet. About two to three dozen are known, of which this is one of
the better ones. We note some trivial pin scratches around the ships rigging,
and minor surface erosion on both sides. A rare coin that is seldom offered.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.
From the Fairchild Family Trust.
Lot 27
1783 Chalmers Shilling.
Birds, long worm. PCGS graded EF-45. A rare issue that is seldom
found at all, much less in high grade. This one is unevenly struck, weak at the
bottom of the obverse and strong on top, and similar on the reverse. The
important design elements and the date can be seen, despite the weakness. Note
a small fissure is located along the edge of the lower reverse, as struck, and
there is a small spot within the S of ANNAPOLIS. The long worm variety is much
rarer than the short worm version, and this is one of the better ones graded.
Perhaps a few dozen are known, mostly in lower grades.
Estimated Value
$4,000-5,000.
From the Fairchild Family Trust.
Lot 28
1755-A French Colonies Sou
Marque. PCGS graded AU-55. Silvery gray in color and well preserved.
Boldly struck, and scarce.
Estimated Value $250-350.
Lot 29
1721-H and 1722-H French
Colonies Copper Sou and 1767 Collot. These three range from Very Good to
Fine. All have slightly porous surfaces and were probably coated with wax
some time ago for protection. The last piece is counterstamped "RF" as nearly
always seen. Lot of 3 coins.
Estimated Value $250-300.
From the
Fairchild Family Trust.
Lot 30
1762 BB French Colonies Sou
Marque. EF-40. A common date, but in nice condition.
Estimated
Value $225-275.
With an old envelope from the Richard Picker coin firm,
later from the Fairchild Family Trust.
Lot 31
1776 Continental Currency -
Pewter, inscribed "CURRENCY EG FECIT". PCGS graded AU-50. Steel gray
in color and lacking the usual tin-pesting that is often seen, the surfaces are
truly delightful for this issue. We do note a dull scrape on the O in
CONTINENTAL and other small scrapes around both sides hidden within the
lettering. Well struck by the dies, with each state visible in the encircling
chain and we note the usual die crack through the middle of the chain on the
reverse. A pretty dollar, despite its handling marks.
Estimated Value
$8,000-10,000.
From the Fairchild Family Trust.
Lot 32
1783 Nova Constellation
Copper. Pointed rays, large U.S. PCGS graded AU-58. Dark brown in
color with clean fields and devices for the grade. This is one of the highest
graded examples of this important Colonial issue. They were struck at the Wyon
Mint in Birmingham, England, and were used widely through the Eastern Seaboard
area. Virtually unknown in full mint state, this high grade example will no
doubt find much attention from people who need to upgrade their specimen. There
are some very minor dings from handling on both sides, but they old and blend
well with the patina.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,500.
From the
Fairchild Family Trust via Richard Picker, with an old envelope included.
Lot 33
1783 Nova Constellation
Copper. Blunt rays. VF-20. The surfaces are lightly erroded by
reddish patina with some darker areas near the devices. No marks from
circulation worthy of note.
Estimated Value $300-400.
From the
Fairchild Family Trust.
Lot 34
1785 Nova Constellatio
Copper. Pointed rays. Sharpness of EF-40 but there is some damage.
Small U.S. This one appears to have been struck on a previously struck
coin, as traces of undertype exist on both sides. There are some marks at the
center of the obverse and a couple near the rim, and on the reverse near the
left edge. Glossy surfaces from a coat of wax, and interesting despite its
problems.
Estimated Value $200-300.
From the Fairchild Family Trust.
Lot 35
1785 Nova Constellation
Copper. Pointed rays. VG-8. Dark brown in the fields with lighter
copper shades on the devices. Minor porosity throughout, as usual.
Estimated Value $75-100.
Lot 36
1787 Massachusetts Half
Cent. VF-30. Medium to dark brown in color and with one script
initial in the left obverse field. Some small pits on the reverse, but well
struck and with nice device details throughout.
Estimated Value $350-400.
From the Fairchild Family Trust.
Lot 37
1787 Massachusetts Cent.
Arrows in left talon. Fine-15. The surfaces have some minor porosity
and we note a couple of small rim ticks on the reverse. Well centered and
struck.
Estimated Value $150-200.
From the Fairchild Family Trust.
Lot 38
1787 Massachusetts Cent.
"Horn" from eagle's head. VF-20. Dark in the fields with lighter
shades on the devices. A few scratches are lightly etched into the left obverse
field near the Indian's bow. We also note a few minor rim bumps. The horned
eagle variety has always been popular with collectors.
Estimated Value
$300-400.
From the Fairchild Family Trust.
Lot 39
1788 Massachusetts Half
Cent. PCGS graded AU-58. Deep brown in color with nice surfaces,
save for some faint scratches in the fields. Sharply struck and a lovely coin
in every way. Don't miss out if you need a high end example.
Estimated
Value $1,200-1,500.
From the Fairchild Family Trust.
Lot 40
1788 Massachusetts Cent.
Period after "Massachusetts". Good-4. There are a few stray
scratches and a mark or two. The tops of the lettering has worn into the rim,
but most of the devices are clear.
Estimated Value $70-90.
From the
Fairchild Family Trust.
Lot 41
1788 Massachusetts Cent. No
period. SEGS graded VG-8. Dark olive in the fields and lighter on
the devices. There are some old scrapes and surface scratches as expected for
the grade.
Estimated Value $100-125.
Lot 42
1785 Connecticut Copper.
Bust facing right. PCGS graded AU-55. Medium glossy brown in color
with some darker elements clinging to the devices. There are two minor planchet
laminations, one on each side, both near the edge, as made. Free of spots or
suface problems, and boldly struck. One of the best known, with very few found
in grades of EF or above, and none graded as high as mint state according to a
recent PCGS Population Report.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,200.
From
the Fairchild Family Trust, earlier from Richard Picker.
Lot 43
1786 Connecticut Copper.
Mailed bust facing left. VF-25. Glossy from a protective coat of wax
and with above-average surfaces. Well struck on the devices and nicely
preserved.
Estimated Value $350-450.
Purchased from Richard Picker
and held in the Fairchild Family Trust for many decades.
Lot 44
1787 Connecticut Copper Lot.
The first is the 1787 Horned Bust variety, VG-8; next 1787 "ETLIR" G-4
and last is 1788 Mailed Bust Right, VG-8. The ETLIR piece has a planchet
flaw on Liberty's head, and all have dark brown patina. Lot of 3 coins.
Estimated Value $150-225.
From the Fairchild Family Trust.
Lot 45
1788 Connecticut Copper.
Mailed bust facing right. Fine-12. Fairly nice for the grade with
medium to light brown color and only a hint of a reddish area behind Liberty's
head. A few thin scratches don't distract. Better than normally encountered.
Estimated Value $150-200.
From the Fairchild Family Trust.
Lot 46
1787 Nova Eborac. Figure
facing right. Good-4. Dark olive surfaces throughout, with a couple
of rim marks and other surface handling problems. Strong device detail, but the
surface problems account for the grade.
Estimated Value $100-125.
From the Fairchild Family Trust.
Lot 47
1786 New Jersey Copper.
Narrow shield Maris 23-R. Fine-15. With a couple of minor planchet
streaks but the color and surfaces remain very nice for one of these. One small
edge bump near the plow handles.
Estimated Value $200-300.
With an
old Richard Picker envelope and from the Fairchild Family Trust.
Lot 48
1787 New Jersey Copper.
Small planchet, plain shield. PCGS graded AU-53. One of the nicest
New Jersey coppers you will probably ever find, the color is a delightful
chocolate brown, the strike is full and complete, and the surfaces are free of
all but the most trivial signs of contact. If all colonials looked like this,
they would be a lot more popular! If you demand color, surfaces and strike,
then take a look at this coin. You will not be disappointed. One tiny die crack
from the V in NOVA to the back of the horse's head, and another lump above the
R in PLURIBUS. Do not skip over this lot without taking the time to enjoy it.
Estimated Value $800-1,200.
From the Fairchild Family Trust.
Lot 49
1787 New Jersey Copper.
Small planchet, plain shield. Fine-15. Struck from strongly clashed
dies, as are most of this variety (Breen-909). Similar to the "Serpant Head"
but this is the smaller planchet. Nice color, but the surfaces show some
handling marks and several small rim bumps.
Estimated Value $300-400.
From the Fairchild Family Trust.
Lot 50
1787 New Jersey Copper lot.
The first is a large planchet which grades VG-8; next is a small
planchet "camel head" variety, VG-8 and last is a small planchet, plain shield
grading F-12. Each has minor surface problems or porosity, and a couple of
rim marks too. Lot of 3 coins.
Estimated Value $125-175.
From the
Fairchild Family Trust.