U.S. Colonial Coins |
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| Lot 1 |
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Oak Tree Shilling 1652, N-10, Rarity-6. Good-6. 67.6 grains. Heavily scratched on the date side and completely missing the tree and some of the legends. This variety needs a bit of an explanation, as this coin is actually nicer than it seems. First, this is a very rare variety, still rated a full Rarity-6 by most experts. Second, this variety is known as the "Delicate Tree" (or "Ghost Tree" per Michael Hodder) and most examples known have either a barely visible tree or no tree at all. The Hain Family Noe-10, sold by Stack's in January 2002, is a perfect illustration. Like the piece offered here, the Hain Family showed virtually no tree and was weakly struck at the bottom of both sides, yet was still assigned a grade of "Fine to Very Fine." So, in the final analysis, this is actually a rather desirable example of a very rare Massachusetts Silver variety (Photo).
Estimate $300-400. |
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| Lot 2 |
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1652 Pine Tree Threepence. PCGS graded VF-25. A very pleasing example for the grade with light natural grayish-violet antique toning (Photo).
Estimate $2,000-2,500. |
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| Lot 3 |
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1652 Pine Tree Sixpence. PCGS graded AU-50. As often seen, the obverse is a bit off-centered, but the reverse is right on. A nice, full bold strike with excellent surfaces which are overlaid with natural grey tone and lighter highlights (Photo).
Estimate $6,500-7,500. |
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| Lot 4 |
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1652 Pine Tree Sixpence. PCGS graded EF-45. Nice and bold, struck on a defect free planchet and overlaid with natural light antique grey toning. A lovely Pine Tree Sixpence (Photo).
Estimate $4,500-5,500. |
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| Lot 5 |
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1652 Pine Tree Shilling. Large planchet. PCGS graded VF-30. Mostly well struck on a smooth planchet with a flan crack at 11 o'clock. The surfaces are overlaid with natural grayish-violet toning. An impressive example of popular Pine Tree Shilling (Photo).
Estimate $2,500-3,000. |
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| Lot 6 |
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St. Patrick Halfpenny. PCGS graded VF-25. Glossy chocolate brown darkening within the devices. A very pleasing example of Mark Newby's popular St. Patrick Halfpenny (Photo).
Estimate $1,250-1,500. |
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| Lot 7 |
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(1688) American Plantation Token. Original. VG-8. Newman 2-R. Unusual, chocolate brown patina, most likely from having been buried. Rim bumps and marks on both sides, some pitting in the left obverse field. The details suggest a grade of Very Fine, but we've netted it down to Very Good because of the flaws. Original examples of this type are considerably rarer than the later Restrikes (Photo).
Estimate $200-250. |
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| Lot 8 |
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1723 Wood's Hibernia Halfpenny. PCGS graded MS-62 Red & Brown PQ. Boldly struck with some minor planchet roughness in the centers which hardly distracts from this marvelous specimen. The lustrous surfaces are virtually spot-free and exhibit plenty of fiery mint red luster, thus our Premium Quality designation (Photo).
Estimate $600-800. |
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| Lot 9 |
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(c. 1779) Rhode Island Ship Medal. No wreath. Copper. PCGS graded AU-58 Brown. A marvelous example, well struck with the ship appearing in near high! The surfaces are excellent, exhibiting a uniform glossy reddish-brown with some traces of mint color (Photo).
Estimate $2,000-2,500. |
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| Lot 10 |
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1787 Massachusetts Half Cent. PCGS graded MS-63 Brown. Medium brown color with a hint of mint red barely visible. Nice, somewhat dry surfaces (this piece could definitely use a good oiling and brushing -- see a copper specialist for an explanation of what we mean). Well struck for the variety, with most of the words HALF CENTS still visible. All in all, the State of Massachusetts produced coins of consistent, high quality -- an exception for the period and a boon to the collectors of today (Photo).
Estimate $2,000-2,500. |
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| Lot 11 |
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1787 Connecticut. Draped bust facing left. PCGS graded VF-35. A choice quality example for the grade with excellent surfaces. Chocolate brown with lighter highlights (Photo).
Estimate $400-500. |
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| Lot 12 |
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1787 Connecticut. Draped bust facing left. PCGS graded VF-25. Medium chocolate brown (Photo).
Estimate $250-300. |
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| Lot 13 |
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1787 New Jersey. Shield outlined. AU-53. Well struck on a nice clean planchet. Cleaned at one time, now a natural looking light gold and green (Photo).
Estimate $1,600-1,800. |
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| Lot 14 |
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1787 New Jersey. Large planchet. PCGS graded Fine-12. A decent example with look of a full very fine example (Photo).
Estimate $200-250. |
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| Lot 15 |
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1787 Vermont. Britannia. PCGS graded VF-35. A most pleasing example of this rare Colonial issue with considerably more detail than one would expect. In fact, although graded "only VF-35" this example shows far more detail than the Guide Book plate specimen. Well struck on a far better than average planchet and uniform glossy chocolate brown in color. This example could realize well over our estimate (Photo).
Estimate $600-800. |
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| Lot 16 |
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1781 North American Token. Fine-15. Medium chocolate brown with some lighter highlights and a couple of light bumps around the rims. Actually struck in Dublin, Ireland, this issue found its way to America and was accepted near the Canadian border (Photo).
Estimate $100-120. |
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| Lot 17 |
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1794 Franklin Press token. PCGS graded AU-53. A choice example with excellent surfaces and reddish brown in color (Photo).
Estimate $500-600. |
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| Lot 18 |
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1799 George Washington Funeral Medal in White Metal. Baker-166C. VF-35. A nice example of this extremely popular type, still with traces of luster on both sides. These medals were given out (or sold) at, and after, Washington's funeral. Both silver and white metal versions are known. Virtually all have been holed at the top for suspension, as these were important keepsakes for any American at that time. In our modern age of instant information and other distractions, we fail to understand the impact of the death of Washington on the country's psyche, nor can we understand the reverence with which he was held. This small medal, a direct connection to this sad event, helps (Photo).
Estimate $800-1,000. |
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| Lot 19 |
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1783 Washington token. Large military bust. PCGS graded AU-58. Well struck with beautiful glossy reddish-brown surfaces (Photo).
Estimate $800-900. |
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| Lot 20 |
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1783 Washington token. Small military bust, plain edge. PCGS graded EF-45. Uniform dark chocolate brown and free from problems (Photo).
Estimate $350-450. |
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| Lot 21 |
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1795 Washington Halfpenny. Grate reverse, large buttons, lettered edge. PCGS graded MS-62. Excellent strike, showing most of the fine details in Washington's hair and on his epaulet, two areas that are notoriously weak on this variety. Deep, dark brown surfaces, somewhat glossy and nicely preserved. Washington refused to have his image placed on American coins, leaving a big void in collectors' hearts. In response to this need, British manufacturers created a number of interesting items for sale to collectors, such as the coin offered here. Many of these overseas coins have now become ingrained in American reference books and as part of our "Colonial" coinage. PCGS reports 3 in this grade, with 4 higher (1 in MS-63 Red and Brown, 2 in MS-64 Brown, and 1 in MS-64 Red and Brown) (Photo).
Estimate $3,000-3,500. |
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| Lot 22 |
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1795 Washington "North Wales" Halfpenny. Plain edge. PCGS graded Fine-15. An excellent example for the grade, in fact, if graded by the surfaces this coin justifys a full grade higher. Uniform medium chocolate brown in color (Photo).
Estimate $250-350. |
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| Lot 23 |
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1787 Fugio Cent. Pointed rays, cinquefoils, "STATES UNITED". PCGS graded AU-50. Pointed Rays. Boldly struck with nice glossy chocolate brown surfaces and some faint traces of mint color still evident (Photo).
Estimate $1,250-1,500. |
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| Lot 24 |
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1787 Fugio Cent. Pointed rays, cinquefoils, "STATES UNITED". PCGS graded VF-30. A pleasing even medium chocolate brown (Photo).
Estimate $500-600. |
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| Lot 25 |
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Undated (1766) William Pitt Medal in Copper. EF-45. 41 mm diameter. Obverse of William Pitt, with his curly wig and queue, GVLIELMVS (William) at left, PITT at right. The reverse features a multi-line legend that reads: THE MAN WHO HAVING SAVED THE PARENT PLEADS WITH SUCCESS FOR HER CHILDREN. Medium tan, with reddish highlights scattered about. William Pitt was a British Parliamentarian who endeared himself to American with his opposition to the hated Stamp Act. We include this medal here because of its association with the 1766 Pitt Halfpennies and Farthings (Photo).
Estimate $250-350. |
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