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United States |
| Design Description: |
CONTINENTAL DOLLARS |
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S$1 1776 BRASS 'CURENCY' CONTINENTAL, DOTTED RINGS Newman 1-A ex: Brand Donald G. Partrick |
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NGC MS 63 |
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Owner Comments
Finest of three known brass Continental dollars with a rarity rating of R8. It is our nation's first Continental coin. Some consider these to be pattern coins but there are examples in brass, pewter and silver that show various levels of wear. Eric Newman established a die variety listing and this is the 1-A, first, with thirteen dotted rings on the reverse. Later versions show the partial elimination of the dots and finally, their complete elimination that resulted in solid interlinking rings. Additionally, various spellings of "Currency" and its correction plus the addition of "EG Fecit" on the obverse resulted in seven different die varieties, according to the Newman scale. On the reverse, note the poor spacing of "American" with a small "N" and a comma. The 3-D variety finally got the spacing correct. All of these variations are quite charming. The design is pure Benjamin Franklin in that on the obverse it conveys the message that time flies, as represented by "I Fly" (Fugio) and a sun with its rays shining upon a sun dial (time), so, "Mind Your Business," thus, be focused so as to get things done. It is amazing to me that our first coin would impart some sage advice as opposed to trying to convey power and prestige, as was usually the case with other countries at the time. Also, the unity of our mission, as reflected by the thirteen interlinking rings with the message, "WE ARE ONE." Truly amazing, in my opinion. This particular coin entered the Virgil Brand collection in 1910 and did not exit his estate until June 1984 as Lot 955, in the Bowers and Merena auction, when Donald Groves Partrick purchased it. In other words, one does not get too many opportunities to acquire something this rare and of such historical importance. If one wants to consider this a pattern coin, this is the finest and the first of all US pattern coins.
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United States |
| Design Description: |
CONTINENTAL DOLLARS |
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S$1 1776 BRASS 'CURENCY' CONTINENTAL, DOTTED RINGS Newman 1-A |
| Grade: |
NGC AU 50 |
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Owner Comments
Brass 1-A, rarity, R-8, reverse plated in Eric Newman's July-August 1952 article, "The Continental Currency
Coinage," Wayte Raymond's, "Coin Collectors Journal," and July 2014 article, "18th Century Writings on the Continental Currency Dollar Coin," "The Numismatist," p. 55. I find this particular coin very attractive since the design elements are highlighted very well by its coloring. This particular coin comes from the former "Colonel" E. H. R. Green and Eric Newman collections. It is the second finest of three known brass 1-A specimens.
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| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
CONTINENTAL DOLLARS |
| Item Description: |
S$1 1776 BRASS 'CURENCY' CONTINENTAL |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 62 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Brass Newman 1-B, second finest, rarity, Low R7, with a CAC approval. Original dotted rings partially re-engraved to form continuous rings. Estimated population is 12. This is from the Newman collection and is a bright well struct specimen. These were first strikes prior to the intention of coining silver dollars but for lack of silver, pewter dollars were substituted. Of particular interest is Johnathan Odell's poem, "The Contgratulation," November 6,1779, wherein the last stanza, he denegrates the pewter dollar. Odell was the cheif propogandist of Benedict Arndold and was a widely followed writer. An example of a Continental Dollar appeared in professor Sprangel's German alamac of 1784 that was translated into English in the 2005 book, "1700s In America." I highly recommend this read about our revolution. Both the Treaty of Paris medal, Betts-614, and the Fugio cent pay homage to the Continental Dollar by copying key elements of their design from the dollar. I believe Continental Dollars are among the most significant and important coins of our emerging republic with the extraordinarilly rare silver 1-C being the first silver dollar of our nation.
Update:
April 9, 2015: In my March 5, 2015 email to Eric P. Newman, I asked for clarification regarding the possibility of a brass 3-D version. Sylvester S. Crosby, in, "The Early Coins of America, 1875, p. 305, referred to one. Both Michael Hodder and Eric Newman refered to one as well so I asked for clarification. In a March 8 response from Stuart Levine, representing Eric Newman, he said, "Neither Eric nor I have seen an example, nor are we aware of even a single auction appearance." There is always the possibility but the odds do not seem very good for this to be the case.
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United States |
| Design Description: |
CONTINENTAL DOLLARS |
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S$1 1776 BRASS 'CURENCY' CONTINENTAL New.1-B(thick) Norweb Partrick |
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NGC AU Details |
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View Coin |
Owner Comments
Rarity, Low R7. I thought this was both an interesting and an attracitve coin. Its metallic composition is different from all the other brass Continental Dollars because it is both heavier as well as having a considerably higher copper composition of 89%. In Walter Breen's "Complete Encyclopedia," he refers to variety 1088 as a Newman 1-B in copper and possibly unique. In personal conversations I had with Joel Orosz, he considers this to be just another brass vairiety. During the initial stages of coining, he believes that virtually any panchet would have been used as a test copy. I find the color attractive since it allows for the design to really come through. It has an NGC AU "Detials" designation since a mount was removed that is not that noticeable. For its rarity and potential metallic differentiation, I thought it was a bargain at the price.
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| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
CONTINENTAL DOLLARS |
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S$1 1776 PEWTER 'CURENCY' CONTINENTAL, DOTTED RINGS Newman 1-A, Discovery Coin |
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NGC VF Details |
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Owner Comments
This is a newly discoverd die variety in pewter, a Newman 1-A. Until December 2015, when Brian Koller discovered it as a normally submitted item for the Heritage January auction, no pewter 1-As were thought to exist. Prior to its discovery, there were only three examples of the dotted ring variety and all in brass. The internal email communications within Heritage Auctions revealed a high level of excitement and lead cataloguer, Mark Borckardt, said, "I was completely shocked when I saw it." It has been probably nearly 44 years since a new variety has been discovered. Obviously, this coin has seen better days but it does demonstrate that at the initial beginnings of these coins, there was great creativity and experimentation taking place. Now that one is known to exist, I am sure there will begin a movement to discover additional examples. It's truly amazing to me that after nearly 240 years of these coins being collected that a new die variety can be discovered. With its discovery, a complete set of seven die varieties can now be assembled in pewter.
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| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
CONTINENTAL DOLLARS |
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S$1 1776 PEWTER 'CURENCY' CONTINENTAL Newman 1-B ex: Hanson Donald G. Partrick |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 64 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Example of a very rare, High R7, pewter Newman 1-B variety, with a CAC approval. It is the finest specimen which Heritage Auctions estimates to be a population of only 7. When Eric Newman did his monumental study of Contiental Dollars, this particular variety was not known of and until recently, only a couple were known to exist. The discovery specimen did not occur until 1971. In this variety, the dotted rings are engraved over to create continuous rings. Despite this, some of the dots remain visiable and they would not be completely eliminated until the Newman 1-C variety. The provenance of this coin is quite limited so additional research is required.
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| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
CONTINENTAL DOLLARS |
| Item Description: |
S$1 1776 PEWTER 'CURENCY' CONTINENTAL |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 65 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Newman 1-C GEM state example with die alignment of 10 degrees and extrordinaryily clean surfaces. Rarity, R3. Between the two grading services, only three MS 65s have been recorded with a single MS 66. This particular coin caries a CAC approval. Little is known of its provenance.
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| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
CONTINENTAL DOLLARS |
| Item Description: |
S$1 1776 PEWTER 'CURENCY' CONTINENTAL Newman 1-C |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 62 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Rarity, R3. This Newman 1-C came from the Eric P. Newman collection and the obverse was the plate coin for his 1952 study of the Continental Currency Dollar. It's grade, MS 62 and is also CAC approved. I thought the coin was very well struck with good luster. There is a small spot in the Massachuysetts ring but otherwise, it is a very pleasing coin. I tried to acquire most of the Newman plate coins so as to keep them together.
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| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
CONTINENTAL DOLLARS |
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Pewter S$1 1776 PEWTER 'CURENCY' CONTINENTAL Newman 1-C(PE) ex: Hanson Donald G. Partrick |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 63 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
This coin was first presented to me as a 1-Ca variety prior to the January 8, 2015 Partrick auction, when it sold as Lot 5840. It was referred to as a "Unique Plain Edge Pewter Variant." In Walter Breen's "Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins," this coin is plated on p.111, #1090, and referred to as unique. The Heritage auction catalogue argued that it should be given a specific Whitman number. At the time, I was not sure about this argument plus, I had just acquired two 1-Cs, MS 65 and MS 62, and I did not feel it was necessary that it be added to complete the collection.
Subsequently, I rethought my original position. I do still view it as a sub-variety; however, both Joel Orosz and Mark Borckardt made persuasive arguments to me as to why this particular coin was very important. In an email on 8/17/15, Mark stated that, "In all early series, they (sub-varieties) are every bit as important as the primary example, and in some cases, the sub-varieties are more important." He then cited several examples to demonstrated the strength of his argument. "All of the examples mentioned above are rated from R.1 to R.7. As a result, they are more visible and attainable to a large number of collectors. Your 1-Ca Continental dollar is unique for the sub-variety. Given the rather small number of collectors who seek to complete a variety set of Continental dollars (and you are the first one ever to reach that goal, to the best of my knowledge), the 1-Ca sub-variety is not recognized by the broad, general numismatic world. However, it is my opinion that it is an extremely important component of the complete variety set. In fact, without that single piece, I would hesitate to call the collection complete."
When I shared Mark's email to me with Joel Orosz, he said, "I have the utmost respect for Mark's depth of knowledge, and I gotta say that his argument makes enormous good sense to me."
Without Mark's and Joel's sound guidance and advice, I might have missed this important coin. It has received very little mention over the years and thus, I believe it is important that it get a bit more attention. The wide flange and plain edge make it an interesting addition to the collection. I hope that you find it of interest as well.
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| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
CONTINENTAL DOLLARS |
| Item Description: |
S$1 1776 PEWTER 'CURRENCY' CONTINENTAL |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 64 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Newman plate obverse for 1952 study with 330 degree die alignment. Rarity, R3. This is the second obverse die
Variety with 2 "C"s in "CURRENCY." It has only a few minor surface marks with brilliant white/grey color. Little is known of its provenance but it is a beautiful specimen with a CAC approval of its MS 64 grade.
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| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
CONTINENTAL DOLLARS |
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S$1 1776 PEWTER 'EG FECIT' CONTINENTAL |
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NGC MS 66 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Newman 3-D plate coin, both obverse and reverse, from his 1952 Continental Dollar study. 1959 Newman paper identifies "EG" as Elisha Gallaudet. Die alingnment shifted 10 degrees with absolutely flawless surfaces. This is one of the finest Continental Dollars in existence and the photo does not do justice to its clarity and radiance. It also carries a CAC approval of its NGC MS 66 grade. Very little is known of its provenance.
May 31, 2015: Confirmed to be the plated coin in the December 1882 Charles I. Bushnell auction, plate 2, #713, by S.H.&H Chapman. This was a truly exciting discovery for me and I thank Mark Borckardt of Heritage Auctions for providing the confirmation.
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| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
CONTINENTAL DOLLARS |
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S$1 1776 PEWTER CURRENCEY CONTINENTAL |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 63 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Finest of the four known Newman 4-D variety. Rariy, High R7, with a CAC approval of its NGC MS 63 grade. The reverse is rotated about 210 degrees. Two errors occurred on this variety with the date initially being 7776 but corrected by carving the first 7 into a stunted 1. The misspelling of currencey is believed to have occurred when the engraver copied the 2/17/1776 $1/6 Continental Dollar note where currency was spelled "CURRENCEY." Subsequently, this error was corrected too with a "Y" engraved over the second "E" and the last "Y" covered with an ornamental flower or florinated cross. All of these errors add to the charm of this series. Ex Newcomer, "Col" Green, Newman specimen. Plated in the "Whitman Encyclopedia of Colonial and Early American Coins."
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| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
CONTINENTAL DOLLARS |
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S$1 1776 PEWTER 'CURRENCY' CONTINENTAL, FLOR. CROSS |
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PCGS AU 58 |
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View Coin |
Owner Comments
The 5-D variety adds to the texture and story of the Continental Dollar. A Floriated Cross is engraved over the the last "Y" while a new "Y" is engraved over the second errant "E" that is shown in the previous exhibit on the Newman 4-D. Only three others have been discovered with this specimen being the finest known; thus, its rarity rating is Low R8 and it also carries a CAC approval of its grade. It traces its lineage back to the 1937 sale by M. Max Mehl and then on to the Norweb collection sale in 1988. Both Eric Newman and John J. Ford, Jr. competed against one another for this particular coin. Eric Newman prevailed and the Ford collection never owned this particular die variety. I was very excited to be the winning bidder of such a rarity at the Partrick auction since this was only the fourth auction appearance since 1937. I hope you find this coin as charming as I do.
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| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
CONTINENTAL DOLLARS |
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S$1 1776 SILVER 'CURENCY' CONTINENTAL Newman 1-C ex: Garrett Donald G. Partrick |
| Grade: |
NGC XF 40 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
This is our nations first silver coin (dollar). It is the finest of two specimens with a rarity rating of R8. All silver Continental Currency dollars were thought lost until the W.H. Strobridge auction was held of Dr. Charles Clay's (Manchester England) collection in December 1871, when this coin, the first silver Continental Dollar, appeared as lot 867. It is also referenced in Sylvester S. Crosby's, "Early Coins of America," 1875, p. 305. Mr. Lorin G. Parmelee purchased it at another Strobridge auction out of the George F. Seavey collection. It stayed in the Parmelee collection until 1890 when John G. Mills acquired it. A couple of more sales took place and then in 1923, John Work Garrett acquired it. It did not re-enter the market again until October 1980, as lot 1491, when Bowers and Ruddy auctioned Johns Hopkins University's collection where John J. Ford, Jr. was the winning bidder. Donald Groves Partrick acquired it in the John J. Ford, Jr. Stack's auction sale October 2003, lot 2. I feel very fortunate and proud to be the ninth recorded curator of such a historically important coin. Because of its rarity, one has few opportunities to own one and thus, I bid accordingly. Enjoy it as I do. I believe it should be shared and appreciated. One final note, speculation has it that this particular coin was carriend back from the colonies to England after the Revolutionary War and thus, it was "lost" for nearly 100 years until the Clay auction was held. I am seeking additional information about this coin, as well as searching for the 1871 Strobridge auction catalogue.
Update:
May 26, 2015
I have now acquired the referenced catalogue above. In it, this coin hammered for $100 and was referred to as being only "extremely rare." In contrast, The Treaty of Paris medal was viewed as "excessively rare.....and nearly unique." and sold for $31. The medal was plated but the silver Continental was not. The price ratio of the silver dollar to the medal was just slightly more than 3x while this year, both coins hammered for $1.3 million and $75,000, respectively, resulting in a multiple of just over 17x between the dollar and the medal. On a compound rate of return basis (CAGR), the silver's 144 year price appreciation was approximately 6.8%, while that of the Treaty of Paris was slightly less than 5.6%. A bronze Libertas Americana, in "nearly proof" condition, hammered for $3. Last year an MS 65 sold for $42,000, before buyer's premium, a 143 year CAGR of 6.9% since then. These are actual total returns and not hypothetical ones. Just goes to show what compounding can do at a 6% to 7% rate.
March 30, 2015
The Numismatist, June 1909, "The First Silver Dollar for the United States," p. 177, also see note on he silver 3-D in this exhibit. "There is also a specimen from the unsigned dies now in the Garret collection, which is deposited in the Library of Princeton University." This is the coin referenced.
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| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
CONTINENTAL DOLLARS |
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S$1 1776 SILVER 'EG FECIT' CONTINENTAL |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 62 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
This is the second silver variety, 3-D, with a rarity rating of R8. There are only two known survivors and this variety was unknown until 1886. The finest example, the Newman specimen, was offered in a December 17,1886, English sales catalogue and its existence was reported to US collectors for the first time in the January 1887 edition of the American Journal of Numismatics. The Newman specimen was auctioned last year by Heritage Auctions. My coin was purchased before 1911 by HO Granberg and became the third known silver Continnental Dollar. It was first exhibited at the Chicago 1911 ANA Convention. It was exhibited again at the 1914 ANS Chicago and was identified on p.19 of the ANS catalogue. The Newman specimen was plated in the same catalogue. It then became part of the "Col" E.H.R. Green collection; Theodore Grand Collection (Stack's 12/1947), Lot 10; F.C.C. Boyd; The Boyd Estate; John J. Ford Jr.; Ford Collection, Part 1, Stack's 10/2003, Lot 7. Donald Partrick was the winning bidder at that auction. Again, I feel previledged to be the new curator of it and believe coins of this importance should be shared. I hope you feel the same way. Enjoy!
Update 3/30/15:
THE NUMISMATIST
January 1907, p. 49, "Uncle Sam's Fifteen Rarest Much Prized by Collectors."
Ranked 13 with an estimated value of $500.
June 1909, P. 177, "The First Silver Dollar for the United States"
Article about H.O. Granberg's recent acquisition of the finest silver EG Fecit copy, this one is the second. The article states, "In point of rarity, in the opinion of Mr. Granberg, this rare reminder of the great struggle of freedom completely outclasses any of the gold pieces, since issued by private coining companies, which have sold for prices up to $3,000. The other dollar, the above example, from this die in silver is owned by a gentleman in Philadelphia (Col. James W. Ellsworth), who considers it the most interesting and valuable piece in his collection--and he owns one of the finest collections in the United States. There is also a specimen from the unsigned dies now in the Garret collection which is deposited in the Library of Princeton University." The last reference is to the 1-C variety and it is the coin in this collection.
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