| Author |
 Replies: 24 / Views: 6,515 |
|
Pillar of the Community
Germany
1849 Posts |
Struck in Birmingham, England, a cask filled with these cents was shipped to America with the purpose of being distributed to legislators, with the purpose of eventually gaining approval for a larger contract. It is said that Gen. Washington disapproved of having his image on coinage, as this would appear to have the 'stamp of royalty'. Eventually, many of the coins were realized into general circulation. This cent exists with both a large and a small eagle. Source: Whitman encyclopedia of Colonial and Early american Coins. Q.D.Bowers. How would you grade this example?    Edited by GERMANICVS
03/05/2014 2:36 pm
|
|
|
|
Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
I'd call it gF to VF by European standard. Washington was adamant about not having his likeness used; he had a very strict definition of his office (and person) as a non-ornamental one.
|
|
Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
Edited by John1
03/05/2014 2:33 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4337 Posts |
THAT is a beautiful piece of history
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4897 Posts |
Love these Birmingham Washington pieces! This obverse was later used, on the much more rare, 1793/2 Ship Halfpenny.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3453 Posts |
Thanks for sharing! I see design elements on the reverse used through out US coinage history. I wonder if they got a few ideas from these coins?  |
|
Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Quote:I see design elements on the reverse used through out US coinage history. I wonder if they got a few ideas from these coins? Interesting question. Although the eagle is based on the Great Seal of the United States, already in use at the time, the clouds & stars above the eagle didn't appear on a US coin until the 1796 Quarter Eagle. I wonder where the design idea originated. |
|
Bedrock of the Community
 United States
18649 Posts |
What a great piece of history to have in your collection. Just applying typical grading patterns I'm looking at the cheek lettering and other high points I have to go a little higher. I'm in the VF35 to XF40 range. Leaning more towards XF
|
|
Rest in Peace
United States
10625 Posts |
Great piece of numismatic history! Quote:I see design elements on the reverse used through out US coinage history Exactly what I thought CK. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
9792 Posts |
What a neat piece of American history! I really like it, I'd grade it (and I know next to nothing about these) high VF or low EF grade. This looks like a great planchet strike with no flaws to mention as so many of our US early coppers had.
Thanks for sharing it!
"Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013! ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1981, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC), Colonial Coin Collectors Club member (C4), Conder Token Collector Club member (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS) member, Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) & Numismatic Bibliomania Society member (NBS), USMex, Member in good standing, 2¢ variety collector. See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440 |
|
Moderator
United States
16677 Posts |
A notable coin of John Gregory Hancock's handy work. These pieces were not only struck in England to commemorate and celebrate the election of George Washington as the 1st President of the United States, but were also sent to America in hopes of a Federal contract to mint and circulate these coins. George Washington frowned upon any coinage design bearing his resemblance.
I'd put this coin as a very nice XF+ with the most minuscule of red highlights apparent in spots. Attractive coin!
swcoin.ecrater.com
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
Canada
11922 Posts |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3229 Posts |
A fantastic piece of US history! VF for grade. As mentioned John Gregory Hancock was the die cutter. He based his design off of Pierre Eugene Du Simitierre's portrait of George Washington. Pierre Eugene Du Simitierre has an interesting story that well told in Dr. Joel J Orosz's, "The Eagle That is Forgotten, Pierre Eugene Du Simitierre, Founding Father of American Numismatics". (Note that the book is Short; less than 75 pages) http://www.amazon.com/The-Eagle-Tha...is+forgottenDu Simitierre was on the first, Great Seal of the United States committee with Franklin, Adams, and Jefferson. He designed the Seal Of New Jersey. He had a special room in his (US) museum dedicated to numismatics. His collection included American colonials, ancient coins and more! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre...du_SimitiereI have the Large Eagle variety, which I can post later if you like:) |
|
Pillar of the Community
 Germany
1849 Posts |
TJsCoins, thank you for the interesting information on the origins of the Washington portrait on this coin. I have never heard of P.E du Simitierre.
It would be very interesting to see you large eagle cent, if you get a chance.
|
|
Rest in Peace
United States
10625 Posts |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3229 Posts |
|
| |
Replies: 24 / Views: 6,515 |
Posted 03/05/2014 2:21 pm
