(1784-95) $8 Ephraim Brasher (EB) Countermark on a Brazil 1746-B 6400 Reis AU58 PCGS....

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1746-B 6400 Reis, AU58
Brasher Regulation Stamp
Rare Ephraim Brasher Countermark

(1784-95) $8 Ephraim Brasher (EB) Countermark on a Brazil 1746-B 6400 Reis AU58 PCGS. The EB countermark impressed on this Brazilian "Half Joe" is identical to the famed Ephraim Brasher hallmark that appears on his private-issue doubloons, although in a later state. Brasher and John Burger were the two most-active regulators of foreign gold pieces, which often found their way into early American commerce. Many of the coins were clipped, rubbed, or otherwise underweight (if not outright counterfeits). The gold regulators served an important function to bring these pieces up to standard, including testing for fineness and adding weight before verifying the coins. The gold coins were seldom overweight, but in those rare cases, a judicious filing or clip accomplished the same regulatory purpose.

Brasher was the best-known regulator of gold coins in the Colonies and was a private minter as well, at times in partnership with fellow silversmith John Bailey. He was considered among the best-known politicians in New York and was a Major in the Continental Army. Holder of many public offices, Brasher was next-door neighbor to President George Washington on Cherry Street in the fashionable New York neighborhood of Cherry Hill. Nevertheless, he and Bailey did not receive the contract they sought to produce copper coinage for the state of New York (nor did captain Thomas Machin, a competing private coiner).

The EB hallmark on the present Brazilian 6400 Reis piece shows diagnostic rust lumps that characterize legitimate EB hallmarks on gold coinage. They are located in the oval cartouche immediately above the upright of E, in the space between E and B above and to the right of the crossbar, and on the inner lower curve of B. This example has a lump of added gold to bring it within tolerances for proper weight, visible to the left of Brasher's countermark on the obverse and present in flattened form on the central reverse.

While Brasher-marked gold coins appear on occasion at auction and are more available than those from lesser-known gold regulators, the Brasher pieces are by far the most popular and, by extension, the most valuable. The present 1746-dated example is a highly attractive one, achieving an AU58 grade by PCGS with pleasing orange-gold patina and luster remaining across the smooth and well-defined surfaces. Aside from the distinctive countermark and gold plug, a small alloy spot at the mouth serves as a visible pedigree marker for this near-Mint State example.

Coin Index Numbers: (PCGS# 493)

View Certification Details from PCGS