Undated (ca. 1859) Pattern Fugio Cent. C. Wyllys Betts Fantasy. Newman 101-EE, W-17535. Rarity-8. Stars in Rings Reverse. Silver. MS-62 (PCGS).151.9 grains. The counterpart to the Newman 101-BB pattern offered above, likewise also a circa 1859 fantasy, almost by or for C. Wylllys Betts. Handsome, richly original surfaces exhibit subtle powder blue, champagne-pink and pale gold undertones to dominant steel gray patina. Pewter highlights are also noted for the obverse, while the reverse exhibits a tinge of warm olive overall. The strike is universally sharp, reverse perfectly centered, obverse only a bit less so with no denticulation at left. A frosty to semi-reflective finish shines forth nicely as the coin rotates under a light, the surfaces presenting as smooth in hand with only wispy hairlines and other trivial handling marks to define the grade.<p>The only other silver striking of this 19th century fabrication known is the discovery coin from the Chapmans August 1893 C.T. Whitman Collection sale, lot 341, three lots after the discovery coin for the Newman 101-BB in silver was offered. The C.T. Whitman Collection Newman 101-EE hasnt appeared at auction since our (Bowers and Merenas) January 2002 Rarities Sale, lot 5, in which it was offered as Proof-60, or thereabouts, perhaps lightly cleaned long ago, lightly brushed as well. The Garrett coin offered here is clearly the finer of the two, and it is returning to market for the first time since 1980. The word opportunity again comes to the fore, for once this specimen sells it may be another generation before either of these numismatic rarities appears again in the open market.PCGS# 995988.Ex Waldo C. Newcomer Collection; John Work Garrett to The Johns Hopkins University, by gift, 1942; our (Bowers and Ruddys) sale of the Garrett Collection for The Johns Hopkins University, Part III, October 1980, lot 1509.
