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1776 $1 Continental Dollar, CURRENCY, Pewter, EG FECIT MS6...
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Description
1776 Newman 3-D Continental Dollar
MS63
Exceptional EG Fecit Variant
1776 $1 Continental Dollar, CURRENCY, Pewter, EG FECIT MS63
NGC. Crosby Pl. VIII, Newman 3-D, Breen-1095, R.3. There
has been considerable debate in the last few years regarding the
origin and intended purpose of these pieces that are traditionally
called "Continental dollars" or "Continental Currency." The variety
offered here is signed "EG Fecit" meaning someone whose initials
were EG engraved the dies. Eric P. Newman identified the engraver
as Elisha Gallaudet.Numismatic tradition suggests that these pieces were coined in New York or in Philadelphia and possibly intended as a substitute for the paper dollar. The denomination is suggested due to the size similarity to the Spanish milled dollar that circulated in colonial America. Today, several varieties are known in brass, pewter, and silver.
The earliest known illustration of these pieces was in the German book Historical and Genealogical Almanac, or Yearbook of the Most Remarkable New World Events for 1784, by Matthias Christian Sprengel and published in 1783. For the benefit of German readers, the inscriptions on the illustrated pieces were translated into the German language. Another reference published a few years later was Bishop Richard Watkins' Chemical Essays that suggested the coins were American in origin. After noting that James II melted down the brass guns of Ireland for coinage known today as gun money, the author observed that the American Congress had recourse to the same expedient.
Others have disputed the American origin of these pieces, suggesting that they were struck in Europe in the early 1780s, and that they were offered for sale as medals, rather than circulating coinage. An early European collector, Lady Sarah Sophia Banks observed that these pieces were never current, and that they were struck on speculation in Europe for sale in America.
This impressive piece has brilliant light and medium gray color, lighter in the fields and darker on the devices. Both sides have satiny luster, especially in the protected areas. An exceptional quality piece for the advanced numismatic student. (NGC ID# 2AYU, PCGS# 795)
Learn more at the Newman Numismatic Portal at Washington University in St. Louis.
Auction Info
Bidding Begins Approx.
December
20th
Friday
Auction Dates
January
8th-13th
Wednesday-Monday
Proxy Bidding Begins Approx.
6 Days
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: N/A
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 98
Auction Type
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Signature® Floor Sessions
Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live starts 24 hours before the live session begins and continues through the session. During the live auction event, bidding in person is encouraged, and Heritage Live includes streaming audio and often video during the event.
Signature®: Heritage Live®:After Internet bidding closes, live bidding will take place through www.HA.com/Live. Your secret maximum bid placed prior to the live event will compete against the live bids. To maximize your chances of winning, enter realistic secret maximum bids on our site. Many of our proxy bidders are successful at winning lots in these auctions, and usually below their secret maximum. You can also place last minute bids directly with us by e-mailing Bid@HA.com or calling 1-866-835-3243. (Important note: Due to software and Internet latency, live bids may not register in time, so enter realistic proxy bids.)
Signature® Floor Sessions
Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live starts 24 hours before the live session begins and continues through the session. During the live auction event, bidding in person is encouraged, and Heritage Live includes streaming audio and often video during the event.
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