Lot 2
Colonial & Early USA era counterstamped gold coinage. In the pre-revolutionary and early independence period, Brazilian gold coins of 6400 Reis colloquially known as "Joes", as many were issued under the reign of Joseph I of Portugal, were used as currency in the USA and some Caribbean islands under British rule. As so many were clipped, damaged or otherwise underweight, they were often plugged with gold inserts to bring them up to proper weight standards and then counterstamped by the certifying goldsmiths to confirm the weight and gold content. Here is just such a specimen. It is a Brazilian 6400 Reis dated 1751 minted at Rio De Janeiro, which has been plugged to bring it to a gross weight of 13.99 grams. The normal issued weight of the 6400 Reis was 14.3436 grams so this coin could have been underweight originally or possibly the plug removed was of greater weight than the plug replaced. It is counterstamped on the reverse "WH", which is the personal mark of William Hollingshead who is known to have first been in business in 1754. He conducted trade at the corner of Arch and 2nd Streets in Philadelphia until 1785. The host coin is in attractive Extremely Fine condition with the c/s about As Struck. A very rare and important artifact relative to early American numismatics and monetary history.
Estimated Value $10,000 - 15,000.
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| Realized $18,975 |
