1785 C Nova 1/2P Pointed Rays, BN MS(PCGS#813)

November 2017 Baltimore U.S. Coins Auction

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

4054

等级

AU50BN

价格

8,353

详细说明

1785 Nova Constellatio Copper. Crosby 4-D, W-1910. Rarity-4+. CONSTELLATIO, Pointed Rays. AU-50 (PCGS). This is a remarkably well preserved and appealing example of a type that is typically offered well worn and/or with significant impairments. Nicely centered in strike, both sides exhibit bold to sharp definition throughout the design. The eye in the center of the obverse is noteworthy for its crispness of detail. Olive-copper and orange-brown patina blends over surfaces that exhibit considerable gloss. A few light marks are scattered about, mostly on the obverse, tiny flan flaw in the field before the letter C in CONSTELLATIO on the same side, although we stress that the appearance is quite smooth for a Nova Constellatio copper irrespective of variety. The superior quality and eye appeal are sure to result in strong bidder competition. The Nova Constellatio coppers dated 1783 and 1785 were struck by a private mint in Birmingham, England for the firm of Constable, Rucker & Co. Its principals -- Gouverneur Morris, Robert Morris, William Constable and John Rucker -- had these coins produced as a private venture, the designs copied from the Nova Constellatio silver patterns of 1783. The 1783 coppers were probably not struck until 1785; the 1786 Small Date issue listed in the Guide Bookis a contemporary counterfeit attributed to Machin's Mills. These coins were well received at first and saw extensive commercial use, explaining the significant number of low grade and impaired pieces. The type eventually fell out of favor, however, with many examples ending their days as undertypes (i.e., planchets) for Connecticut and other state coppers. PCGS# 813. NGC ID: 2AZ3. Provenance: From the LJV Philadelphia Collection. Earlier from Pine Tree Auction's Elizabeth Morton Sale, October 1975, lot 626.