1785 C Nova 1/2P Pointed Rays, Small Date, BN MS(PCGS#823)

August 2018 ANA U.S. Coins Auction Philadelphia, PA

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

191

等级

AU55+BN

价格

19,703

详细说明

1785 Nova Constellatio Copper. Crosby 2-A, W-1885. Rarity-4+. CONSTELLATIO, Pointed Rays, Small Date. AU-55+ (PCGS). This is an impressive example of a scarce and conditionally challenging Nova Constellatio variety. Lovely golden-brown toning blankets satiny surfaces that are exceptionally smooth in overall appearance. The obverse impression is off center a bit toward 7 o'clock, and there is scant denticulation around the reverse border, but otherwise this piece is very well struck with most major design elements sharp. The all-seeing eye at the center of the obverse is a bit blunt, typical of the variety. Easily among the finest examples from the 1785 Crosby 2-A dies that we have ever offered, this delightful piece is sure to please even the most discerning early copper specialist. Although the exact origin of the Nova Constellatio coppers is unknown, modern scholarship suggests that they were struck by a private minting establishment in Birmingham, England at the behest of the New York City-based firm of Constable, Rucker & Co. The use of the all-seeing eye and rays motif from the rare Nova Constellatio mark, quint and associated patterns of 1783 makes sense in this regard and can perhaps be seen as influencing Gouverneur Morris. One of the principals of Constable, Rucker & Co., Morris was also assistant superintendent of finance with the Continental Congress from 1781 to 1785, in which position he was a proponent of the Nova Constellatio pattern coinage. Produced in large quantities from several die marriages bearing the 1783 and 1785 dates, the Nova Constellatio coppers were initially well received in America and circulated extensively. They were later devalued, however, and many pieces ended up serving as undertypes for various Connecticut, New Jersey and Vermont copper varieties. The 1786-dated Crosby 1-A variety is believed to be a contemporary counterfeit produced by Machin's Mills or a similar enterprise. Crosby 2-A is the only Small Date variety of the 1785 Nova Constellatio issue, and it is much rarer than its Large Date counterpart, especially those of the Crosby 3-B variety. With the typical survivor grading no finer than VF, this premium quality Choice AU represents a particularly important find for advanced collectors. PCGS Population: 1; 2 finer (MS-63 BN finest). PCGS# 823. NGC ID: 2AZ4. Click here for certification details from PCGS.