Brazil: Brazil. Jose I 6400 Reis 1771-R. Rio mint. MM mark for Myer Myers....

Description

Historically Important Myer Myers Regulated Half Joe Marked by New York's Most Famous Jewish Goldsmith Perhaps Unique

Brazil. Jose I 6400 Reis 1771-R. Rio mint. MM mark for Myer Myers. KM172.2. EF-45. Clipped, re-edged, plugged, and marked MM for Myer Myers of New York. Lightweight at nearly all standards at 7 dwt, 20 grains (187.9 grains). Tightly clipped down to the tops of the legends while scrupulously avoiding affecting the lettering, edge shows effective if low-relief twin-leaf device, consistent around entire circumference. Plugged at precise center, reverse shows traces of two plugs, one within another. MM in tight rectangular cartouche nearly horizontal. Mark identified as Myer Myers "Mark 7," ca. 1776-95, in the standard Myer Myers: Jewish Silversmith in Colonial New York by David Barquist (p. 254). Attractive light yellow gold with traces of luster, a few harmless light scratches inside peripheries, traces of earthen encrustation within obverse legend and reverse device.

An outstanding piece, the only Myer Myers regulated gold coin we have identified. Myers is one of New York's most famous and well-studied silversmiths. John Burger, the well-known regulator, was once his apprentice; they were partners while exiled from New York from 1779 to 1783. Myers was elected chairman of the Gold and Silver Smiths Society of New York in 1786; other members of this small guild included Burger and Ephraim Brasher. Myers was a leader in the New York Jewish community and an ardent supporter of the Patriot cause. During the British occupation, he lived in both Norwalk, Connecticut and Philadelphia. A spoon listed in Barquist with this mark is traced to his time in Norwalk during the Revolution (1776-79). The tongs used to illustrate this mark therein are thought to have been produced after his return to New York in 1783. This piece was likely regulated ca. 1784, when the Bank of New York promulgated a 9 dwt standard for Half Joes. It was probably further clipped and re-edged sometime later. Any piece of Myers work is rightly prized by those who collect early American silver. This potentially unique Myers regulated Half Joe is one of the great highlights of this collection. Edward wrote an article that was published in The Numismatist in December 2006 regarding this piece.

Provenance: From Ira and Larry Goldberg's sale of June 2001, Lot 911.
From the Edward Roehrs Collection of U.S. Regulated Gold.

More information about Brazilian Coins. See also: Brazil World Coin Nationality.