1776 Continental Dollar. Newman 1-B, W-8435. Rarity-7+. CURENCY. Pewter. Genuine--Surface Damage (PCGS).<strong>Choice AU Details.</strong> Lustrous deep silver gray with deeper high points, a coin with excellent eye appeal despite a few scattered marks and blemishes, those mostly relegated to the obverse. On the positive side, the strike is about as bold as you will see for the issue; the sun face is complete despite a tiny mark there, the sundial is likewise complete, as are the horizontal lines above MIND YOUR BUSINESS. On the reverse the chain links and state names are as crisp as anyone could wish for. In other words, this is a choice piece despite some minor drawbacks, a coin that should be seen to be fully appreciated. Indeed, we commend that interest parties study and consider this coin carefully, and bid accordingly. The Newman 1-B and 1-C varieties of the CURENCY Continental dollar in pewter are easily confused, with most examples of the former mistakenly attributed as the latter in numismatic listings. Indeed, the dies for both varieties are the same, the rings on the reverse initially comprised of dots (Newman 1-A, known only in brass) that were eventually cut into lines. While Newman 1-C is one of the more frequently varieties of this enigmatic issue, Newman 1-B is one of the rarest. The present example readily reveals most (although not all) of the most significant diagnostics of Newman 1-B:<p>1 - Lack of a prominent obverse die break that originates above the letters GI in FUGIO. This feature is also absent on early die state examples of Newman 1-C, so this diagnostic alone should not be considered conclusive for the Newman 1-B attribution.<p>2- Remnants of the dots that once comprised the rings on the reverse are still readily evident. Due to die lapping, these are no longer evident on Newman 1-C examples.<p>3 - The comma after the word AMERICAN in AMERICAN CONGRESS still appears as such, whereas for Newman 1-C the aforementioned die lapping reduces this feature to a period.<p>4 - The rays right of the word CONGRESS are full on Newman 1-B examples, whereas they are attenuated for Newman 1-C due to die lapping.<p>5 - A prominent die chip appears within the ring for Pennsylvania on some Newman 1-B examples (not evident here), but is always absent on Newman 1-C coins. A fleeting bidding opportunity for the advanced collector, and sure to see spirited bidding at auction. From the Collection of Thaddeus A. Tatum III.
