Incredibly Rare Intact West Indies Half Joe
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS. 66 Shillings, ND (Prior to 1803). PCGS AU-50, C/M: AU Details.
cf. Gordon-303 & 307 (for script B countermark); Roehrs-408 (this coin). Weight: 12.52 gms (8.05 dwt). Script B countermark applied to the obverse of a false 1772-R Brazil Half Joe (6,400 Reis) of Jose I. Hallmark applied to center of soldered plug on reverse, appears to be "IC" or "IO" now somewhat obscured, with additional plug applied through piercing in lower right quadrant of reverse. This highly interesting issue offers much character and intrigue and is the only known example bearing the "West Indies Script B" countermark with intact plugs. This wholly original looking piece displays an attractive gold color with deeper hues amongst the devices and minor earthen deposits in the protected areas. The script B countermark is boldly applied and clear on a decently preserved host, while the hallmark on the reverse is difficult to fully identify due to attempted effacement. After inspecting the edge, this cataloger is unable to locate any signs of clipping or shaving which would indicate that the plugs were added to bring it up to the prescribed weight standard. This handsome example exhibits moderate signs of handling with only minor marks or abrasions that one would expect from the assigned grade. One of only three known pieces bearing the "West Indies Script B" countermark and should be considered EXTREMELY RARE, highly desirable and worthy of an advanced collection of West Indies. Known examples bearing West Indies Script B: 1) Brazil. False Half Joe (6,400 Reis), 1772-R. Roehrs-408 (present coin). 2) Brazil. False Half Joe (6,400 Reis), 1775-R. Gordon-303; ANS Collection-1927.143.1. Guadeloupe plug removal by local ordinance 22 April 1803; Martinique 20 over Eagle (Gordon Variety A) countermark applied by local ordinance 26 September 1805; Hallmarked "I.H" (unknown West Indies Goldsmith); West Indies Script B. Note: The ANS example was part of a small hoard found near Bell's Jetty, Dominica, in the 1920s. This Island was traditionally considered part of the Leeward Islands until 1940 when it was transferred to the Windward Islands. 3) Brazil. False Half Joe (6,400 Reis), 1788-R. Gordon-307; Roehrs-233. Guadeloupe plug removal by local ordinance 22 April 1803; Martinique 20 over Eagle (Gordon Variety A) countermark applied by local ordinance 26 September 1805; West Indies Script B. The attribution to the British Virgin Islands stems from the culmination of several factors including known weight standards, goldsmith hallmarks, plug removals and later added countermarks. Robert Chalmers, author of "History of Currency in the British Colonies" published London 1858, states that before the close of the 18th Century the rating of the Dollar in the Leeward Islands had increased from 8 Bits originally to 10 Bits then 11 Bits of 9 Pence each (8 Shillings 3 Pence [8 s 3 d]) and then later to 12 Bits, the only exception to this was the Virgin Islands which remained at the 8 s 3 d standard (8 dwt). By 1798 the Leeward Islands, which consisted of Antigua and Barbuda, Guadeloupe, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Martin, Dominica and the Virgin Islands, were plagued with light weight Joes and small quantities of worn silver. Early in 1798 Martinique, part of the Windward Islands, passed a local Act that raised the Dollar from 8 s 3 d to 9 s which was on par with Grenada and Antigua. The justification for this was due to good silver leaving the island and was done out of necessity rather than choice. Later that year Dominica followed suit. The rate of gold was also raised. Within a few months the Leeward Islands had a uniform rating of the Dollar at 9 s, with the only exception being the Virgin Islands which remained at the 8 s 3 d standard. Before the turn of the 19th Century the Leeward Islands as well as all British West Indian Islands had established a standard rate for their standard coin, the Half Joe, at 66 Shillings, its weight was fixed at 7 dwt in the four original Leeward Islands and at 8 dwt in the Virgin Islands. Now turning our attention to Ralph Gordon who authored "West Indies Countermarked Gold Coins" published 1987. On page 99, he states that the Windward Islands were on 7 ½ dwt standard and that the British Leewards (Leeward Islands), except for Tortola (largest and most populated of the Virgin Islands), used the 7 dwt standard, but that Tortola and the Danish West Indies used 8 dwt as their standard. Going through the various plated and listed examples we find numerous pieces that bear the same "I.H" hallmark as seen on the second piece above, Gordon-303; ANS Collection-1927.143.1. Examples cited such as Gordon-211, pg. 102 (7.04 dwt/10.95 gms), has a large plug with the "I.H" hallmark. The example listed as Gordon-301, pg. 107 (7.05 dwt/10.97 gms), has a small assay test plug with subsequent "I.H" hallmark and later Martinique 20 over Eagle of 1805. The weights of these two examples are just above the 7 dwt standard of the Leeward Islands. Perhaps the most interesting example for our purposes is Gordon-302, pg. 107 (7.49 dwt/11.65 gms); ANS Collection-1915.31.4, which bears the "I.H" hallmark and appears to have had the plug removed and was later re-plugged, which distorted the "I.H" hallmark. This example is of particular interest in that it the new plug bears the script "IW" hallmark and incuse "G" stamped thrice near the edges of the obverse for Grenada by Proclamation of 31 July 1798. It is also interesting to point out that each of the "G" punches are stamped over "S" in relief within square indent for St. Vincent by local Act of 1 August 1798. The importance of this piece as well as the second example listed above, Gordon-303; ANS Collection-1927.143.1, as they relate to the present coin cannot be overstated. These two examples help give a more accurate time frame in which the West Indies Script B was applied. Given the fact that both the St. Vincent and Grenada actions had the prescribed 7 ½ dwt standard, the Grenada Proclamation also called for regulating already plugged coins to this standard. From this we can surmise that the "I.H" goldsmith was active prior to the 1798 actions of these islands. Though Gordon either decided not to list or was unaware of the present coin with the effaced hallmark on the plug, he does state that the West Indies Script B stamp has not been recorded as a single mark coin. The fact that this piece has remained at the fixed 8 dwt standard due to the plug being soldered and not easily removed is quite remarkable. The later action of 22 April 1803 by Guadeloupe called for the removal of debased plugs, such as the case with Gordon-303; ANS Collection-1927.143.1 which contains both the "I.H" hallmark as well as the West Indies Script B. From this we can conclude that the approximate period in which the West Indies Script B was active was the 1798 to 1803 period.
Ex: Edward Roehrs Collection (Dix Noonan & Webb 11/2011) Lot # 408. Purchased privately from A.P. de Clermont (3/2000). Ex: R. Strauss Collection

Estimate: $25000.00- $35000.00