500 Units - Nova Constellatio “Type II” 1783

Weight

7.11 g

Diameter

24 mm

Thickness

NA

Material

Silver

Shape

Round

Edge Type

Twin olive leaf design

Technique

Milled

Front design

U.S (no stop after S) and denomination enclosed by an olive wreath

Back design

The All-Seeing Eye in a glory of rays at the center with 13 stars

Year of Minting

1783

Ruler

NA

Mint location

NA

Mint mark

NA

Orientation

NA

Inscriptions

Obverse: LIBERTAS JUSTITIA 1783 Reverse: NOVA CONSTELLATIO

Context

It is impossible to overstate the importance of this Coin. Walter Breen, an acknowledged expert on early proof coinage, believed this coin was struck in proof format, one of the earliest U.S. proofs on record and an attractive specimen of the coiner's art in any context. The Nova Constellatio patterns were struck by personnel hired by the U.S. government, acting on instructions from Congressional representatives. The coins represent the prototypes for the first system of American coinage ever conceived. They have serious claims to being the first U.S. pattern coins although they were struck under the authority of the Articles of Confederation, before the Constitution was written. This Type Two quint is unique, the ultimate in absolute rarity. It has been off the market for 34 years. Its combination of historic importance, high quality, and absolute rarity can be matched by few issues in any category of American numismatics. The discerning collector will heed the advice of John Ford and acquire this coin at any cost. Ex: Benjamin Dudley and Robert Morris in 1783; unidentified New York City collector as a family heirloom until 1870; coin dealer William P. Brown; Sylvester Sage Crosby; Lorin G. Parmelee; Lorin G. Parmelee Collection (New York Coin & Stamp, 6/1890), lot 582; Harlan Page Smith; S.H. & H. Chapman; George Earle, Jr.; Henry Chapman; Col. James W. Ellsworth; Knoedler Galleries; Wayte Raymond; John Work Garrett; Johns Hopkins University; Garrett Collection, Part I (Bowers and Ruddy, 11/1979), lot 621; Walter Perschke. (NGC ID# 2AZA, PCGS# 821)

Rarity

Ultra rare

Coin type

Patterns

In circulation

No

Demonetized

Yes

Marketplace listings

0