Lot 271
United States Of America. Continental Dollar, 1776. CONTINENTAL CURRENCY, EG FECIT. Struck In Pewter. Newman 3-D. Very Rare. NGC Encapsulated And Graded AU58.
Obv: Newman 3 Die. Outer Ring, CONTINENTAL CURRENCY 1776, Inner Ring, FUGIO / EG FECIT, Below Sundial, MIND YOUR BUSINESS.
Rev: Newman D Die. Interlinked Rings, N•HAMP•S / MASSASCHS / CONNECT•T / R•ISLAND / N•YORK / N•JERSEY / PENNSILV / DELAWARE / MARYLAND / VIRGINIA / N•CAROLIN / S•CAROLIN / GEORGIA. A Central Ring, AMERICAN CONGRESS• / WE ARE ONE.
This 1776 Continental Dollar piece offers a rare and significant opportunity for collectors to acquire one of the few examples in American numismatics that prominently features the pivotal year of 1776, marking the birth of the United States. The initials 'EG' in 'EG FECIT' ('EG made this') are attributed by Eric P. Newman to Elisha Gallaudet, c.1730-1805. While the intended purpose and specific origin of these pewter pieces remain uncertain and whether indeed originally intended as a coin or medal, they are traditionally and widely regarded as the first series of American Dollar coins.
This example is understood to be totally fresh to the market, having been recently discovered in a local property, unearthed from an old toffee tin containing a collection of jewellery, object d’art and curiosities, believed to have been sealed and essentially forgotten about for decades.
Sold for £25,000