Heritage World Coin Auctions
Long Beach Signature US Coin Sale 1252 16-17 Feb 2017
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Colonials
1785 Immune Columbia, Nova Constellatio, Silver, Reeded Edge, AU53 NGC. CAC. Breen-1120, W-1985, Low R.7. 90.4 grains, 93% silver, 5% copper per NGC metallurgical tests. On this variety, the Pointed Rays reverse from the Nova Constellatio series lacks punctuation between the words. The same die was used for 1785 Nova Constellatio coppers identified as Crosby 3-B. This Immune Columbia variety exists in copper with about three known, and in silver as offered here with about 12 to 15 known. Michael Hodder estimated 15 known in the Ford catalog, while the Whitman Encyclopedia rates the variety "URS-4(?)" which suggests only five to eight are known. This is one of many colonial issues where an accurate published census would be extremely valuable.
In his 1988 Encyclopedia, Walter Breen attributed these pieces to George Wyon's Birmingham Mint under the guidance of engraver Walter Mould. Breen stated that Mould emigrated in 1785, bringing dies and other equipment with him. Research has shown that Mould actually arrived in America two years earlier in 1783. Since these pieces and the Nova Constellatio coppers were all struck in 1785 or later, it is clear that either: 1. These coins were made in America, or 2. They were not made by Walter Mould. The numismatic debate about who, when, and where continues.
An exceptional silver example of this important die marriage with reflective surfaces beneath delicate champagne and pale blue-green patina. A glass reveals the few trivial marks and faint hairlines that are consistent with the age and grade of this important piece.
Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society; Eric P. Newman Collection, Part V (Heritage, 11/2014), lot 3022, which realized $135,125.
1785 Immune Columbia, Nova Constellatio, Silver, Reeded Edge, AU53 NGC. CAC. Breen-1120, W-1985, Low R.7. 90.4 grains, 93% silver, 5% copper per NGC metallurgical tests. On this variety, the Pointed Rays reverse from the Nova Constellatio series lacks punctuation between the words. The same die was used for 1785 Nova Constellatio coppers identified as Crosby 3-B. This Immune Columbia variety exists in copper with about three known, and in silver as offered here with about 12 to 15 known. Michael Hodder estimated 15 known in the Ford catalog, while the Whitman Encyclopedia rates the variety "URS-4(?)" which suggests only five to eight are known. This is one of many colonial issues where an accurate published census would be extremely valuable.
In his 1988 Encyclopedia, Walter Breen attributed these pieces to George Wyon's Birmingham Mint under the guidance of engraver Walter Mould. Breen stated that Mould emigrated in 1785, bringing dies and other equipment with him. Research has shown that Mould actually arrived in America two years earlier in 1783. Since these pieces and the Nova Constellatio coppers were all struck in 1785 or later, it is clear that either: 1. These coins were made in America, or 2. They were not made by Walter Mould. The numismatic debate about who, when, and where continues.
An exceptional silver example of this important die marriage with reflective surfaces beneath delicate champagne and pale blue-green patina. A glass reveals the few trivial marks and faint hairlines that are consistent with the age and grade of this important piece.
Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society; Eric P. Newman Collection, Part V (Heritage, 11/2014), lot 3022, which realized $135,125.