Lot 8
1783 Nova Constellation Copper. Pointed rays, small U.S. PCGS graded MS-62 Brown. Light brown in color and well struck, including the center all seeing eye. The fields show scattered red patina, as often found on copper of this period or earlier and some devices are affected. PCGS has only graded 1 coin this high, with just 2 graded higher, both MS-63 brown, making this one likely high in the condition census for the issue.
Under the new Confederation, Gouverneur Morris tried to locate a consistent source for uniform coinage. Silver was scarce in America, so he focused on copper by traveling to England and requesting help from the Birmingham mints. Although lacking authority to act, many believed Morris was ready to contract out the much needed copper coinage, and patterns were prepared by various mints. This is one such pattern issue, designed by George Wyon III, after Benjamin Dudley, and struck at Wyon's Mint in Birmingham. These were coined at 60 or 55 or even 72 to the pound of copper. Many circulated in America for years after issue. Finding a mint state example is nearly unheard of, and collectors would do well to put this one away before it disappears into someone else's collection.
Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000.
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| Realized $2,588 |
