Undated (ca. 1616) Sommer Islands Shilling. BMA Type I, W-11460. Rarity-5. Small Sails. Fine-12 (NGC). The typical porosity is evident in the peripheries but the central regions remain nicely intact for the type. Verdigris is present in most of the recessed areas but the designs defined by pleasing golden-tan surfaces. Substantial traces of silvering remain, with the most plentiful deposits showing in the obverse fields and within the intricacies of the ship. The hog motif at the central obverse is largely indistinct, save for the hind leg and the curled tail. The inner beaded circle is intact as is most of the legend, while the ships sails on the reverse are virtually complete. A pleasing example of this rare issue with good overall definition. Just 12 distinct examples of the Small Sails shilling were enumerated in the 1997 BMA census of Sommer Island coinage, though the present example was not included in this listing. It is only of only 6 examples certified by NGC, and only 3 rank finer. Ex Heritages sale of January 2015, lot 4003; our October 2018 Baltimore sale, lot 2005.
