Lot 39
1783 Chalmers Shilling. Birds, short worm. PCGS graded EF-40 "Short Worm". A rare silver colonial issue, this one from the state of Maryland. No official authorization exists for the coinage, but similarly no law prevented Capt. John Chalmers from making these coins of honest weight and fineness. The surfaces of this coin are particularly pleasing, toned with darker gray in the fields, and lighter silvery gray devices. Excellent surfaces and strike, the coin is well centered and preserved in every way. There are no identifying marks or characteristics worth describing. PCGS has graded a scant 5 this high, 5 graded higher (best AU-55) of this variety.
Breen and others suggest that the worm being fought over by the two birds is really a snake. Note that the so called worm has a head which is much larger than the body, as seen in the snake above and outside the fence above the birds. Further, a worm would be proportionately much smaller than depicted here. He also interprets the scene portrayed on the obverse as "While you states go on squabbling over trivialities [boundary disputes?], you don't notice what is coming over to devour you", referring to the larger snake above. He goes on to say that this is a warning that a strong centralized government (the large snake) might well destroy the hard-won status of individual states as independent sovereign entities under the Confederation.
Given the fineness and value of the coins produced, it is unlikely that Chalmers made any money with his venture. Perhaps Chalmers hoped to win a coinage contract with the state of Maryland, and these much needed silver coins are all that remains of his proposal. Perhaps these were more for advertising the family business rather than a coinage for profit motive. Most are found in well worn condition, and they were struck in three denominations, shilling, sixpence and threepence, all of which are fairly to extremely rare.
Estimated Value $5,000 - 6,000.
From the Paul Arthur Norris Collection.
|
| |
| Realized $5,060 |
