Lot 5
(c. 1779) Rhode Island Ship Medal, with wreath. PCGS graded MS-64. All Rhode Island ship medals are rare, especially this variety. The surfaces of this one are exceptional, and show no significant or even minor signs of handling. The color too is choice, with brassy and copper highlights, and no troubling spots or detracting toned areas. Fully struck, with as much detail as possible given the state of the dies, and somewhat primitive conditions which likely prevailed when these were struck. One small edge flaw is noted at the bottom of the obverse, which is present on both sides of the coin. PCGS has graded 4 in all grades, with the being the finest seen by that service. The legends have been subject to various interpretations over the years, but Breen's seems the best, "The Americans had run away in 1778; now there goes Admiral Howe the same way in 1779." The Revolutionary War skirmishes referred to were the American and French forces which abandoned Conanicut Island in order to pursue Howe's forces on ships in 1778, but a storm forced both sides to withdraw. Admiral Howe soon took control of the small Island off Narragansett Bay, but he was forced to withdraw 15 months later, as the American and French forces prevailed. On the original issue, the Dutch word VLUGTENDE (fleeing) was seen just below Howe's ship, but this word was scraped off most coins, and the dies were changed to show a pair of branches or sprigs below. Breen suggests that the reference to fleeing could result in reprisals by the British, so the dies were changed. Nothing like the threat of a long stay in Newgate Prison to make one very careful about such things.
Estimated Value $6,000 - 7,000.
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| Realized $6,900 |
