Auction Name: 2026 January 14 - 17 FUN US Coins Signature® Auction

Lot Number: 3008

Shortcut to Lot: HA.com/1390*3008

1776 $1 Continental Dollar, CURENCY, Pewter, N. 1-C, W-8445, R.3, MS61 NGC. The various Continental dollar varieties are recorded as #91 in the sixth edition of 100 Greatest U.S. Coins. Today, we consider the obverse of this design to include the date and sundial with the reverse containing the 13 interlinked rings bearing the state names. In 1875, however, Sylvester S. Crosby considered the obverse and reverse to be exactly opposite. There is no evidence of obverse die cracks or breaks on this early die state example.

The design of these coins was taken from a similar motif appearing on Colonial Currency notes, prompting the "dollar" description for these coins; however, also suggesting that they may have been a fiat coinage that was intended only as a substitute for paper money, and never intended to have any intrinsic value.

In the Whitman Encyclopedia of Colonial and Early American Coins, Q. David Bowers states, "It was likely intended that the pewter Continental dollar coin serve in place of the $1 note during the latter part of 1776." These coins are therefore often collected by those who specialize in silver dollars, and most collectors have waited a long time for just the right example. The Continental Currency coinage is also important from a historical standpoint, bearing the 1776 date of our nation's founding.

This is a remarkable Mint State example of the pewter Continental Currency coinage with the misspelling CURENCY. The surfaces are light gray with considerable prooflike finish. A few minor blemishes are visible on each side; however, the overall aesthetic appeal of this example is quite high. The strike is generally bold, although the sun is incompletely defined, as is the opposite portion of the reverse. Although a few examples are known in brass, copper, and silver, nearly all Continental Currency pieces have pewter composition. Listed on page 23 of the 2026 Guide Book.
Ex: Karl Scheible Collection (Heritage, 8/2004), lot 5042; Cincinnati Central States (Heritage, 4/2009), lot 2004, $57,500; Pittsburgh Signature (Heritage, 10/2011), lot 3009, $57,500; Atlanta Signature (Heritage, 2/2014), lot 3694, $76,375.
From The Peter Bowe Collection.

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