Elusive 1694 Carolina Elephant Halfpence PROPRIETORS Reverse

Lot 30
1694 Carolina Elephant Token. PROPRIETORS reverse. PCGS graded VF-20. Medium chocolate brown in color with very pleasing surfaces that show smooth, even wear on the obverse. On the reverse, the central lettering is very weak with portions illegible, but the all important O/ERS and the date visible with a glass. One tiny mark located above the(OR)S will help to identify this specimen and another similar mark is located near the rim to the right of GOD. Long called a low rarity-6, and while not on par with some of the finer examples known (Norweb, Picker, Garrett) certainly a worthy coin in its own right. PCGS has only graded 4 examples of this variety, all between the grades of VG-VF.
Estimated Value $6,000-7,500.
From the Paul Arthur Norris Collection.

1760 Hibernia-Voce Populi Halfpenny. "VOOE POPULI"

Lot 33
1760 Hibernia-Voce Populi Halfpenny. "VOOE POPULI". PCGS graded MS-64 Brown. Perhaps the very finest known of the issue, this coin boasts not only a bold strike but also very pleasing color and surfaces. Better than the Garrett or Norweb examples, as well as the Roper EF (lot 159) which wasn't photographed in that sale. PCGS has graded one as high as MS-62, and above only this specimen as a near gem MS-64. The dies show minor roughness at the centers, particularly on the reverse. Struck on a very nice planchet, and well enough preserved to retain a trace of mint red near the lettering and devices. A simply magnificent example of this popular variety and one of the highlights of this specialized collection.
The VOOE error appears to be an engraving mistake, the "C" was first engraved upside down perhaps rather than a "die break" as noted in most prior offerings of this variety. If one studies the width and proportion of the additional area which closes the "C", it appears to be that type of error rather than any sort of die break.
These were thought to have been coined in Ireland, and intended for circulation there, but ended up circulating along the eastern shores of America after speculators bought them up and shipped them to these shores.
Estimated Value $4,000-5,000.
From the Paul Arthur Norris Collection.

Near Gem 1766 Pitt Token Halfpenny

Lot 35
1766 Pitt Token Halfpenny. PCGS graded MS-64 Brown. Glowing brown luster throughout, with no troubling spots or similar signs of age. The strike is typical on the obverse, with most of Pitt's curls bold, the reverse has minor weakness on the ships portholes, but most are present. A hint of streaky brown color on the obverse, while the reverse boasts an even and lovely brown color. We do note however, three faint scratches in the right obverse field, and another through the word STAMPS on the obverse. Certainly one of the finest of these important historical tokens, PCGS has graded only 2 this high, with a single coin graded higher. Most are found in much lower circulated grades, and just have few have been located in mint state. Nicer than examples in the Roper, Picker, Robison and Norweb collections, and as nice as the Garrett example. Struck slightly off center on the reverse, with the tops of the letters FRIENDS missing, as usually seen.
The Pitt token commemorates one of the most historic events that soon led to the American Revolution. King George III's Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Grenville, introduced the Stamp Act in Parliament in early 1765, where it passed without debate, in order to help pay for French and Indian Wars. Parliament was simply extending the British system of stamp duties to the American colonies. Neither Grenville nor his advisors had any idea that the Stamp Act would generate any opposition from the colonies in American (Breen).
Nevertheless, the Stamp Act included several provisions which the colonists saw as a threat. For instance, the Act required the purchase of tax stamps for every sheet of paper or parchment, hence every newspaper, broadside, almanac or like publication had to pay the tax or would be considered contraband. This implied the royal authorities were trying to tax local publications out of business, an attack on the freedom of the press!
As soon as copies of the Stamp Act arrived in New York by August of 1765, colonial assemblies started protesting. In Massachusetts, the radical Sons Of Liberty formed in secret to organize resistance, likewise in New York where the locals formed the Friends of Liberty and Trade club. Soon a Stamp Act Congress was called, and they met on October 7, 1765, with representatives from all 13 colonies, to coordinate action. Its major resolution declared that the Stamp Act and the related measures extended "the jurisdiction of the Courts of Admiralty beyond its ancient limits" and that Parliament had "a manifest tendency to subvert the Rights and Liberties of Colonists." The congress further resolved that "it is inseparably essential to the Freedom of a People, and the undoubted rights of Englishmen, that no taxes be imposed on them but with their own consent, given personally or by their representatives," and that the colonists "are not, and from their local circumstances cannot be, represented in the House of Commons." (Breen).
Soon the opposition to the Stamp Act was so great that the costs of enforcing it exceeded the meager income gained. Loyalists who used the hated stamps were boycotted, or even worse, some witnessed their houses burned to the ground. Many in Parliament were outraged, with such treasonous behavior rampant in the colonies, until Sir William Pitt, the most popular statesman in England and known as the "Great Commoner," defended the rebellious colonists and their opposition to the Stamp Act. Pitt spoke to Parliament in January of 1766 and stated "as subjects they are entitled to the common right of representation, and cannot be bound to pay taxes without their consent," and even demanded the repeal of the hated Act, which followed on March 18, 1766. So disgusted was King George III, that he dismissed his Chancellor of the Exchequer Grenville over the debacle.
Naturally, the colonists hailed Pitt as their Defender of Liberty, and various coins and medals were struck in his honor. The local New York group known as the Friends of Liberty and Trade had gunsmith James Smither engrave and issue this token, allegedly using sketches from Paul Revere, and they are thought to have been struck in either New York or Philadelphia.
One of the highlights of the Norris collection, and certain to be highly prized for generations to come.
Estimated Value $10,000-UP.
From the Paul Arthur Norris Collection.

One of the Finest Rhode Island Ship Medals With Wreath in Pewter

Lot 38
(c. 1779) Rhode Island Ship Medal, with wreath. Breen-1142. Betts-563. PCGS graded MS-64. One of the very finest known specimens of this rare issue, with two seen this high at PCGS, and none higher out of a total of 7 graded by that service. The surfaces are simply amazing for this issue, often these are found with corrosion (see below), not so here, the surfaces are mint fresh and well preserved. As to the strike, we note full details on even the tiny flags atop the ships masts, and just trace weakness on the central ship portholes perhaps caused by die failure as this is a late obverse die state. The reverse is boldly struck, and the color is a steel lustrous gray throughout. We do note a minor die crack through the upper right above the ship, and a die lump on the rigging of the foremast. Much better than the specimen offered in Roper, Robison, Garrett, Norweb and others, and long known to be represented by just a few known struck in pewter. Of those listed in the census below, most seem to be of this die pairing.
One side of the token depicts Conanicut Island, with rows of American and French soldiers marching with weapons towards small boats offshore to the right, while Howe's 3 menacing triple masted ships lie just offshore, with the legend loosely translated "Americans fleeing Rhode Island August 1778" while the obverse (ship side) shows a proud 3 masted ship (Howe's) with its sails furled but flags flying proudly and the legend surrounding something like "Admiral Howe's flagship, 1779, " but importantly the word "vlugtende" (fleeing) has been removed below the ship on the die (the die was reannealed and a wreath was placed below the ship). Breen does not note if these coins have been punch matched to any other known coiners, and the engraver, mint and designer remain to be discovered.
Why these satirical coins were struck remains a mystery, Breen deciphered the legends in the historical context to refer to Conanicut Island in Narragansett Bay west of Newport. Loosely translated, the legends state "The American's had to run away in 1778, now there goes Adm. Howe the same way in 1779". Admiral Richard Howe and Henry Clinton of Great Britain were in Colonial America to stop the rebelling American's, and these two leaders nearly had it out with Colonial and French troops off Conanicut Island. However, a storm came up as the two navy's jockeyed for position, and both sides retreated, leaving the battle for later. Howe retook Conanicut Island in August of 1778. Fifteen months later, the battles had turned, and Howe retreated from Conanicut island in a hurry leaving it for the American and French forces. On a few examples the word "vlugtende" is below the ship, which means "fleeing" (referring to Howe), and apparently the coiners feared reprisals for memorializing his retreat in such an insulting manner, so the dies were changed to remove the offending word, and a politically acceptable wreath was put in its place.
Estimated Value $7,000-10,000.
Here is a census of those we could reasonably locate: 1). The specimen offered here from the Paul Arthur Norris Collection PCGS graded MS-64, previously from our Benson Collection Sale, 2/2001:34. Apparently tied for the Finest Known (Norris upgraded to this coin from specimen #3 below) 2). Another, not seen PCGS MS-64. 3). The Paul Arthur Norris specimen, PCGS MS-62 (plate) our Benson sale 2/2001:35. Rim clip at 4:00 o'clock on the obverse. 4). Another, not seen, PCGS graded MS-60. (probably one of those listed below). 5). Kagin's 332 sale, 2/83:1006 (plate)," AU-Uncirculated, small spot in upper right obverse field". 6). Kagin's 313 GENA Sale, 9/78:1770 (plate) "About Uncirculated-55". 7). The Parsons/Ellsworth/Garrett specimen, Bowers & Ruddy 10/80:1328 (plate) "EF or better" at $5,000. Identifiable by a small scratch above stern flag. 8). Paramount's Burnheimer Sale, 5/76:502 (plate) "AU-50 Several areas of roughness near the rims as is usually encountered on pewter pieces" at $2,050. 9). The Norweb specimen, Bowers and Merena Galleries, 10/87:1262 (plate) "EF-40, spots of corrosion" at $1,000. 10). NERCG's Commonwealth Sale, 7/77:34 (plate), "VF-35 choice surfaces and color" at $1,000. 11). The Roper specimen, Stack's 12/83:174 (plate), "VF, 3 or 4 spots of tin pest obverse". 12). New Netherlands 48th sale, 11/56:792 (no plate) "VF somewhat defective mainly about the periphery, recently obtained abroad" and almost certainly the same specimen as New Nethlands 51st sale, 6/58:183 (no plate) "VF slightly imperfect as always; edge scaly and irregular, obtained in England". 13). Robison specimen, Stack's 2/82:71 (plate). "VF holed".

Choice EF 1783 Chalmers Shilling

Lot 39
1783 Chalmers Shilling. Birds, short worm, Breen-1011. PCGS graded EF-40 "Short Worm". A rare silver colonial issue, this one from the state of Maryland. No official authorization exists for the coinage, but similarly no law prevented Capt. John Chalmers from making these coins of honest weight and fineness. The surfaces of this coin are particularly pleasing, toned with darker gray in the fields, and lighter silvery gray devices. Excellent surfaces and strike, the coin is well centered and preserved in every way. There are no identifying marks or characteristics worth describing. PCGS has graded a scant 5 this high, 5 graded higher (best AU-55) of this variety.
Breen and others suggest that the worm being fought over by the two birds is really a snake. Note that the so called worm has a head which is much larger than the body, as seen in the snake above and outside the fence above the birds. Further, a worm would be proportionately much smaller than depicted here. He also interprets the scene portrayed on the obverse as "While you states go on squabbling over trivialities [boundary disputes?], you don't notice what is coming over to devour you", referring to the larger snake above. He goes on to say that this is a warning that a strong centralized government (the large snake) might well destroy the hard-won status of individual states as independent sovereign entities under the Confederation.
Given the fineness and value of the coins produced, it is unlikely that Chalmers made any money with his venture. Perhaps Chalmers hoped to win a coinage contract with the state of Maryland, and these much needed silver coins are all that remains of his proposal. Perhaps these were more for advertising the family business rather than a coinage for profit motive. Most are found in well worn condition, and they were struck in three denominations, shilling, sixpence and threepence, all of which are fairly to extremely rare.
Estimated Value $5,000-6,000.
From the Paul Arthur Norris Collection.

The Extremely Rare 1709-AA French Colonies 30 Deniers

Lot 42
1709-AA French Colonies 30 Deniers. PCGS graded VF-30. An extremely rare issue that Vlack states is represented by just 2 or 3 specimens. Breen estimated the population at 7 or 8 known when he published his mammoth Encyclopedia in 1988. Originally struck to pay the French soldiers in the Ardennes, and many were spent in Alsace, where they eventually ended up in Canada or the Louisiana Territory. Struck at the Metz Mint in France, and this is the first year of issue of this new design. We note minor surface roughness and a few small raised areas as this billion (mostly copper, 20 percent silver) issue was exposed to a damp climate at some point. Boldly struck with all the devices sharp and most of the lettering quite clear as well. A coin for the specialist who really demands something rare in impossible to duplicate.
Estimated Value $2,000-UP.
From the Paul Arthur Norris Collection.

Mint State 1776 Continental Currency - Pewter, "CURRENCY"

Lot 49
1776 Continental Currency - "Pewter" (Tin), inscribed "CURRENCY" Newman 2-C. PCGS graded MS-61 Currency, Pewter. Light steel gray in color with the obverse very clean for the grade, on the reverse the color is also well matched, and we note a couple of trivial marks on some of the chain links. As expected, the strike is sharp throughout, with no weakness whatsoever. There are scattered lumps of tin pesting on both sides, but primarily on the reverse, as often seen on coins of this metallic content. For more than the last century, these were thought to have been struck in pewter, but they are actually tin, although similar, not quite the same alloys. Keeping with this numismatic tradition, PCGS notes on their insert "Pewter". PCGS has graded only one as such, with a dozen graded higher. Most are found in circulated grades.
The American Continental Congress anticipated a loan of silver for coinage from their friends in France, and hence unknown intermediaries contacted New Jersey engraver Elisha Gallaudet to make dies, employing his popular renderings of the sundial and chain with each state engraved one to a link. Coinage began in secret, pending the hoped for loan of silver from France, these were struck primarily in tin, a few in brass, copper and even a silver example or two are known. As a new nation, the United States needed to exercise its sovereign right to coin money, and further it was hoped that these coins would help prop up the rapidly deflating Continental Currency then in circulation. In theory, the Continental notes would then be redeemable in silver coin, supporting the notes stated value.
Many tin coins circulated, and their popularity remains high with the date 1776 emblazoned on the obverse, and the strong chain of the 13 original colonies linked on the reverse, with the bold statement WE ARE ONE at the center. The design elements had been sketched by Benjamin Franklin, and were seen on a few Continental currency notes attributed to Elisha Gallaudet by Eric Newman (see the Continental Currency chapter, issue of February 17, 1776 Resolution fractional notes). These notes were clearly copied for the coin herein, and misspellings of "currencey" are seen on both the notes as well as a few of the coins!
The true denomination is not known, although they are approximately the size of later dollars, and hence that name has stuck. Perhaps they were meant to be Pence, or something closer to a cent in circulating value when struck in tin. Highly popular with collectors, the design elements employ the medieval symbols of the Sun with Face (God or Time personified), while the sundial with FUGIO refers to Time or the Sun which is fleeing, so one must use Time or daylight hours, wisely. The motto, MIND YOUR BUSINESS means just that. On the reverse, each state is noted or abbreviated on a chain link, thirteen of which encircle the reverse, with the center circle surrounded by glory rays with AMERICAN CONGRESS surrounding WE ARE ONE at the very center. The original dies were modified from beaded links (2 examples known in brass), and this variety is thought to have been the first large group struck, and most show evidence of circulation. Apparently struck using medal turn (flip side to side, not top to bottom), the reverse had rotated about 40 degrees clockwise when this one was struck.
One of the most historic and desirable of all the colonial coins issued, and certainly a highlight of the Norris collection.
Estimated Value $20,000-30,000.
From the Paul Arthur Norris Collection.