United States Coin of the Week: Famous and Enigmatic Choice AU 1776 Continental Currency ‘Dollar’ Headed to Our February 2014 Americana Sale

By Frank Van Valen, Numismatist and Cataloger

1776! This is easily the most famous and best-known date in American history and a date that gains significance with each passing year. Unfortunately for numismatists, there are few coins dated 1776 that actually relate to America. A scarce Machin’s Mills copper issue with the magic 1776 date (struck much later than its date implies) and the 1776-dated Spanish colonial coinage of the era that served as legal tender in the American colonies are the first pieces to spring to mind after, of course, the famous 1776 Continental Currency “dollar” or “unit.”

These silver dollar-sized coins were the first of their size struck in the American colonies, but their value was never stated and they seemingly did not circulate heavily. They were struck mainly in pewter, with some examples known in brass and silver, though examples struck in the latter two metals are extremely rare. It is thought the pewter pieces passed as a dollar. There are also numerous die varieties for this fabled issue, including one variety with CURRENCY misspelled as CURENCY.

Graded AU-58 by PCGS with the CAC sticker of approval, the lustrous silver-gray specimen we will offer in February is one of the correctly spelled CURRENCY varieties, Newman 2-C, a stalwart among those who specialize in this series. The sundial and admonition to MIND YOUR BUSINESS on the obverse would resurface as a design in 1787 for the Fugio copper series. Much crinkly silver brilliance is retained among the devices, including the chain of links that represent the 13 original colonies on the reverse.

We hope to see you early next year in the Big Apple, New York City, when we present our 2014 Americana Sale. We already have a stellar line-up of rarities, including this link with American history, the 1776 Continental Currency piece graded AU-58 by PCGS. It’s not too late to see your coins in our February 2014 Americana Sale and we hope to hear from you! Contact one of our consignment directors today and let our success be your success.