| Description |
1774/3 SHILNG Virginia Shilling PR58 NGC. Encyclopedia-182, W-1695, R.7. 86.8 grains. 99% silver. Medallic alignment. An extremely rare non-denominational issue, the Virginia silver coin is traditionally called a shilling in numismatic literature, although no evidence exists to support that denominational label. The obverse die is identical to the George III gold guineas dated 1774 to 1786, while the reverse is the same style as the Virginia halfpence, except for the date. The reverse has eight harp strings, similar to six reverse dies of the halfpence, but identical to none of those dies. Sources suggest that Thomas Pingo, assistant engraver at the Royal Mint from 1771 to 1776, was the artist who engraved these dies. Chief engraver Richard Yeo reportedly produced the Virginia halfpence dies. This is the first Virginia shilling that we have handled during the four decade history of our firm. Eric P. Newman knew of four examples in 1956, including this coin from his own collection that served as the plate coin in Coinage for Colonial Virginia. Today there are five known examples. Two examples are held in museum collections, leaving just three available to collectors. This example shows a trace of rub on the high points, with lovely pewter-gray surfaces that exhibit delicate blue and iridescent toning. A few inconsequential marks are noted on each side. Of interest, the obverse and reverse of this coin was plated in the classic paper on Virginia coinage by Eric P. Newman. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society. Census of the 1774/3 Virginia Shilling PR58 NGC. Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society. The present piece, probably acquired in the 1940s from B.G. Johnson. Proof. Page; Dr. Thomas Hall; Virgil M. Brand; Brand Estate; B. Max Mehl (privately, 1/11/1937); Norweb Collection; Smithsonian Institution. Certain past references have recorded a second example in the Norweb Collection, although no such coin appeared in any of the Norweb sales. Proof. Gschwend Collection; Col. James W. Ellsworth Collection; Garrett Collection (Bowers and Ruddy, 10/1980), lot 1294; private collection. Plated in Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia. Proof. Roper Collection (Stack's, 12/1983), lot 131; private collection. Gem Proof. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Ex: James Ten Eyck (B. Max Mehl, 5/1922), lot 832; Virgil Brand; F.C.C. Boyd; Boyd Estate; John J. Ford, Jr. (Stack's, 1/2005), lot 98. Plated in the Whitman Colonial Encyclopedia, and at the Colonial Williamsburg website, history.org http://history.org/.
Realized $94,000.00. Description courtesy of Heritage Auctions. |
