Lot 2122
1811. Small 5. . BD-2, Breen-6464. PCGS graded AU-55. Nicely struck with light natural toning. From an old time collection and just sent for grading. The 1811 uses the same small 5 punch used in 1810, but this is a different die. Striking order of the two 1811 varieties is problematic since it seems the dies were repaired with obverses more than once -- attested to by means of die cracks when determining striking order. Pop 23 (PCGS # 8109) .
Events of 1811: In the winter of 1811-12, the central Mississippi Valley was struck by three of the most powerful earthquakes in U.S. history. Even today, this region has more earthquakes than any other part of the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. The 400 terrified residents in the town of New Madrid (Missouri) were abruptly awakened by violent shaking and a tremendous roar. It was December 16, 1811, and a powerful earthquake had just struck. So powerful were the series of temblors that some sections of the Mississippi River appeared to run backward for a short time. The shockwaves propagated efficiently through Midwestern bedrock to where residents as far away as Pittsburgh and Norfolk were awakened by intense shaking. Church bells were reported to ring as far as Boston, Massachusetts and York, Ontario (now Toronto), and sidewalks were reported to have been cracked and broken in Washington, D.C. There were also reports of toppled chimneys in Maine.
Estimated Value $6,500 - 7,000.
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| Realized $7,935 |
