Lot 8
Maryland Shilling, Lord Baltimore. Dies 1-A, R-6. PCGS graded AU-55. One of the classic rarities of the Colonial issues, the Lord Baltimore shilling elicits collector excitement whenever they are offered. On this particular specimen we note the planchet is of good quality, and the color is a natural lilac silvery gray. The strike is typical for the issue, with the weakness in the hair on Lord Calvert, and the familiar die injury (clashing?) on the reverse below II in the denomination. Close scrutiny will note a thin line like mark from the lower rim into the bust of Lord Baltimore, and a similar and thinner line from the rim into the D of DNS, and we suspect that this coin may have been struck three or more times, the first two strikes off-center, with these trace lines (from the edge of the previous off center-strikes) remaining as evidence. Corresponding planchet lines are present on the reverse. A great rarity, and we note that PCGS has graded only 3 of these Lord Baltimore shillings as AU-55, with 1 higher as AU-58 and one at the top at MS-61 out of a grand total of 24 graded in all grades listed. Breen estimates the entire mintage at 20,000 pieces, virtually all of which have long since disappeared. They were struck in London, probably at the Tower Mint.
Early silver in the American colonies is quite rare, most coinages were of copper by the various states and other cast offs from England, Ireland and France. Here is one of the finest of these rare and desirable Lord Baltimore shillings to survive. Better than the examples offered in Picker, Robison, Eliasberg or Roper. An opportunity of great importance for the colonial specialist.
Estimated Value $15,000-UP.
From the Paul Arthur Norris Collection.
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| Realized $12,075 |
