Undated (1733) Rosa Americana Pattern Twopence Obverse Die Trial. Martin Obverse 1. Steel. Rarity-7+. MS-62 (PCGS). 241.6 grains. A fabulous looking example of these well known and extremely rare steel die trials of the famous obverse die used on the 1733 Rosa Americana twopence. The obverse is prooflike with the same strike characteristics and luster as the regular struck pieces. Light hairlines limit the grade, but the coin remains quite flashy. Light silver with some bluish-steel and golden-tan highlights. Pull-away toning atop the letters of GEORGIVS provides a bit of extra brilliance and implies originality. The reverse is a little darker and just lightly rusted, with the same file marks and remnants of old, dark paint as on the 1723 penny trial earlier in this sale. Examples of these steel obverse strikes have been known as far back as pioneering American collector Joseph J. Mickley (1799-1878), who owned an example that was sold in Woodwards November 1867 sale of the Mickley Collection, lot 2336, and later in the Bushnell sale of 1882, lot 225. A different example appeared in the Charles Clay sale of December 1871, lot 192. No more than six appear to be known today which includes the two in the Syd Martin Collection, the Garrett piece, an example in the British Museum, and the Mickley and Clay specimens which may or may not duplicate the others listed. A significant and beautiful item, undoubtedly original to the striking of the famous 1733 twopence, and valuable for its connection to that legendary production. PCGS# 905777. From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier said to be ex Philip Nelson, Hillyer Ryder, and F.C.C. Boyd Collections; our (Stacks) sale of the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, Part IX, May 2005, lot 194; Lawrence R. Stack Collection, November 2006. Plated in the Martin reference "The Rosa Americana Coinage of William Wood," p. 331.
