Lot 10
New York. 1796 Castorland Medal in silver. Restrike. Proof 63. The French Castorland settlement of the 1790s (or "Beaverland" as castor is the french word for beaver) was near present day Watertown, New York. Yeoman's Red Book tells us that these pieces "were given to directors of the colonizing company for their attendance at board meetings", but it is not clear whether they were considered as cash payment to the directors or merely souvenirs. Bowers, while discussing the Garret specimen conjectures that they "were possibly intended to circulate at the value of a half dollar, for the size and weight is similar to the standard United States issue of the time." The obverse depicts a veiled female head left wearing a laurel wreath and a small mural crown. Immediately below is the artists name as DUV. (Duvivier). The surrounding legend is "Franco-Americana Colonia" with "Castorland 1796" in the exergue. On the reverse is a standing female figure holding a cornucopia next to a maple tree with a beaver below and latin legend around. This specimen is a Paris Mint restrike in silver with the appropriate markings, and is of older vintage as the more current restrikes have a more modern look to them. Sharply struck with pale golden toning near the edges (PCGS # 61124) .
Estimated Value $400 - 500.
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