Owner Comments:
This fascinating coin, dated 1787, is from the Confederation Period that preceded the establishment of the US Mint in 1792. Unlike issues from other states such as Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Vermont (then, technically a Republic that had yet to achieve statehood), this Excelsior piece, like all other New York (Nova Eborac in Latin on some coins), was never officially authorized by the State of New York. Among the unsuccessful petitioners seeking permission to mint coins for the State of New York were John Bailey and Ephram Brasher of New York City. Brasher is the noted silver and goldsmith who fashioned the famous Brasher Doubloon that sold for $9,360,000 at auction in January of 2021. If you compare the eagle on the reverse of the Brasher Doubloon to the eagle appearing on the reverse of this Excelsior piece, also created by Brasher/Bailey, you will note that they are virtually identical, except for the direction in which the eagle faces. The Excelsior coin, which may have been a trial piece to entice the legislature to action, was made in limited quantities. A total of approximately 35 to 50 pieces survive today. There are three varieties: obverse eagle facing left, obverse eagle facing right, and specimens with transposed arrows in the reverse eagle's talons. The example shown is the eagle facing left, which is the most common variety. Interestingly, the design elements shown on the Excelsior's obverse can be seen on the New York State Seal and New York State Flag. A depiction of Liberty to the left, and Justice to the right, surround a scenic panorama of the sun overlooking three mountains and the sea in the foreground.