1776 (1783) Continental Dollar. Newman 2-C, W-8455. Rarity-3. CURRENCY. Pewter. VF-30 (PCGS). CAC. CMQ. This delightful example exhibits richly original color in softly mottled steel and pewter-gray. The strike is nicely executed for the type with all major design elements boldly rendered in the context of the assigned grade. Pleasingly smooth in hand, a bit of roughness to the texture and minor handling marks are easily overlooked, and just as easily forgiven.<p>When viewed with a global approach to the series, Continental dollars can be divided into two main groups. The first includes the CURENCY and CURRENCY varieties (Newman 1-A, 1-B, 1-C and 2-C). The second group includes the EG FECIT, CURRENCEY and floriated cross varieties (Newman 3-D, 4-D and 5-D). The first group is of interest to us here, since it includes the offered example.<p>Research by Michael Hodder confirms that the first variety of Continental dollar produced is Newman 1-A in brass, with the CURENCY misspelling on the obverse and the rings on the reverse as dotted lines. The reverse die was then modified with the 13 intertwined dotted rings strengthened so that they now appear as unbroken lines, although many of the former dots are still visible within each ring. This change in reverse style created the variety now attributed as Newman 1-B, of which examples were struck in both brass and pewter. Based on his study of die states, Michael Hodder confirmed that the initial press run comprised brass pieces, followed by some in pewter, with a final run of additional brass examples. Both compositions are rare, Newman 1-B in brass with only 12 specimens confirmed and Newman 1-B in pewter with only about half a dozen known. All are known from only a perfect, unbroken state of the obverse die, as is Newman 1-A.<p>The reverse was then modified again, through heavy lapping and reworking of the rings so that they are now circles composed of thick lines. Paired to the same obverse, this further modified reverse produced the usually seen (though by no means common) Newman 1-C CURENCY pieces in pewter, later die state examples with a prominent obverse break over the letters GI in FUGIO. Two silver impressions of Newman 1-C are also known, ex Garrett and ex Don Corrado Romano Collection sale. The aforementioned obverse break eventually forced that dies retirement and its replacement with the CURRENCY die, the new marriage resulting in the Newman 2-C pieces, which are known only in pewter, as here.<p>The present sale offers a fleeting opportunity for an advanced collector to acquire examples of the three major Continental dollar types in pewter. This Newman 2-C CURRENCY specimen is as nice as one could hope to see at the Choice VF level, and is sure to see spirited bidding. PCGS# 794. NGC ID: 2AYT.
*拍品信息由各家拍卖公司提供，首席数据中心刊载出于传递更多信息之目的，并不意味着赞同其观点或证实其描述。
