GRENADA. 6 Bitts (4 Shillings 6 Pence), ND (1814). PCGS VF-30 Gold Shield; Countermark: VF Details.13.67 gms. KM-10; Prid-8; Lyall Collection-Lot # 5236, 5237 & 5239 (same GS stamp on 4, 2 and 1 Bitts); Roehrs Collection Pt. I-Lot # 296 & 297 (same GS stamp on 4 and 2 Bitts); Gordon Collection-Lot # 123 (Lyall collection Lot # 5236)(same GS stamp); ANS Collection-1969.118.109 (same GS stamp on a 4 Bitts). Issued by decree of 2 November 1814. Raised "GS" within rectangular indent, incuse "G" and inverted incuse "6" countermarks applied to a cut half 18xx Spanish Colonial bust 8 Reales of Charles IIII (IV). strongEXCEEDINGLY /strongstrongRARE/strong and possibly strongUNIQUE/strong. Countermarks deeply impressed and clear with excellent definition of the details making comparison an easy venture to other known genuine examples of the unknown "GS" silversmith. The "GS" countermark has a small die crack running from the bottom to the center base of the "G". The piece exhibits moderate wear and is quite handsome when compared to other issues of the West Indies series. A nice combination of light grey color on the high points coupled with dove grey tone in the open fields which transitions to an attractive slate patina amongst the devices and the crevasses. Truly a magnificent survivor missing from every significant collection of cut and countermark West Indies issues and as such worthy of the finest collection.According to famed author and collector Major Fred Pridmore, the above stated decree ordered 2,000 dollars to be cut and stamped for 6 Bitts. There were two persons employed by the initials "GS" and "TR" to prepare this coinage. Currently the names and origins are unknown of these two individuals. Prior to the discovery of the present example, the "GS" 6 Bitts was unknown to the collecting community. It is quite peculiar in that the style of the denomination stamp, the incuse 6, falls out of the norm for the majority of the Grenada series for both the "GS" and "TR" issues which usually appear as raised numbers within a square or rectangular indent. The only other examples that we are aware of from this series where the denomination stamp is incuse are the 1 Bitt, also in this sale, and a 1 Bitt from the Ray Byrne Collection Lot # 541 Ex: Howard D. Gibbs collection Lot # 1454 (cross style Pistareen). Both of these examples are "GS" issues sharing the same punch showing degradation which is also shared by examples from the Lyall collection Lot # 5238 and the Pridmore Collection Lot # 365, both 1 Bitts except with raised "1" within rectangular indent. All four of these examples share the same incuse "G" stamp. When comparing the "GS" stamp on the present example to the above sited pieces it is a perfect match with a singular die crack as noted above as well as a sharp pointed spur at the base of the "G" pointing towards the "S" and horizontal points extending from the top of the arm of the "G". Punch linking of the present example to other known genuine pieces shows the complexity of this series as well as dismisses the question of authenticity.From an old South African Collection of a British Colonial Family.
