1776 (1783) Continental Dollar. Newman 3-D, W-8460. Rarity-4. CURRENCY, EG FECIT. Pewter. Unc Details--Scratch (PCGS).This is a visually captivating example from this iconic issue with flashy silvery surfaces and traces of slate-grey patina across the high points. The luster is uniform and incredibly satiny, fully undisturbed by friction beneath a glass. A few ancient and thin marks are noted within the reverse rings, though these fail to distract the naked eye. Well centered and very sharp across both sides. The Continental "dollar" is an enigmatic type for which no specific documentation detailing its origin has ever been found. It was popularly theorized that the Continental Congress intended these pieces to serve in lieu of the $1 note beginning in the latter half of 1776. Although the authors of early publications obviously believed that the Continental "dollars" were coins of American manufacture, no documentary evidence was provided to substantiate this claim. Recent research and a two-part article by Erik Goldstein and David McCarthy entitled "The Myth of the Continental Dollar" published in the January and July 2018 editions of The Numismatist</em> challenge the long accepted theories surrounding these coins. They discovered that a long string of early Americans -- people who were actually in a position to provide concrete facts about these pieces -- went on the record to mention that they had never seen or heard of such a thing as a Continental dollar coin. Goldstein and McCarthy also point out that the two best known American-reference medals of 1783 were initially sold with what the French called an "explication," a simple handbill or flyer explaining the designs and where they came from. The Libertas Americana medal was sold with one. Betts-610, the usually pewter medal coined to celebrate the Treaty of Paris, was also sold with one. And so, too, was the Continental "dollar", furthering the argument for a production date of 1783, not 1776. That the Continental "dollar" was intended as a medal and not a coin, and that it was struck in London in 1783 instead of an unknown American location in 1776, changes very little in the scheme of things. The Libertas Americana medal was coined in Paris but is consistently rated as among the most desirable American numismatic collectibles; the Continental "dollar" should not forfeit a similar place in the hearts of American collectors. It remains scarce, attractive, historic and valuable. PCGS# 795. NGC ID: 2AYU.