(1797) 1D New York Theatre Middlesex-167, BN MS(PCGS#90658)

Spring 2019 Baltimore U.S. Coins Auction

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

333

等级

PR64+BN

价格

100,546

详细说明

Famous and Rare Theatre at New York Token Undated (ca. 1798) Theatre at New York Token. W-9080, Breen-1055. Rarity-6. Proof-64+ BN (PCGS). 407.2 grains. An exquisite specimen to represent this impressive and elusive type. Richly original golden-brown patina throughout, a partial halo of bolder medium copper encircles the reverse periphery. Satin to modestly semi-reflective surfaces reveal a small carbon spot above the final letter A in AMERICA, as well as a pair of shallow flan flaws in the field above the ship on the reverse, but otherwise are just a few stray marks away from a full Gem grade. Sharply struck and carefully preserved, we anticipate keen interest in this noteworthy rarity among advanced collectors of early American types. These famous tokens were engraved by B. Jacobs and struck at Skidmore's Mint in London. They were struck in copper with a diameter of 34 millimeters. The obverse depicts the architect Brunel's conception of the famed Park Theatre in New York. Said theatre was the largest in New York, situated off Ann Street and Beekman, with the entrance on what became known as "Theatre alley." Large enough to seat 2,372 people, the theatre wrestled with financing and city building codes that hobbled its success. Finally opening after three years of construction delays in January of 1798, this was the largest theatre in Manhattan for a few decades. These tokens were struck to commemorate the opening of the theatre and promote its fame. All shows featured live actors in nightly performances. Only a handful of these tokens are known, with perhaps a dozen remaining in total. Writing about this type when a different specimen was offered in our March 2012 Baltimore Auction, Q. David Bowers stated: "For many years this has been one of my favorites of the British conder tokens. The subject is strictly American and the diameter is penny (not halfpenny) size, making it quite impressive. Skidmore issued a number of various tokens for the numismatic trade, all of which are elusive today. The listing of the Theatre at New York in the Guide Book of United States Coins has widened its appeal immensely. Only occasionally does an example appear in the market, and even more widely spaced are offerings of a coin of this [virtually] Gem quality." Provenance: From the Greenway Collection. Earlier from our (Stack's) June Sale of 1973, lot 855; our (Stack's) Laird U. Park Collection sale, May 1976, lot 76; our (Stack's) Greater New York Numismatic Convention Sale, May 1985, lot 42. Lot tags and Stack's paper envelope included. PCGS# 90658. Click here for certification details from PCGS.