August 2024 Global Showcase Auction – 12 - 23 August 2024
Ancient and World Coins and Currency
Part B: Mo, 12.08.2024, from 6:00 PM CEST
Part C: Mo, 12.08.2024, from 10:00 PM CEST
Part 1: Tu, 13.08.2024, from 1:00 AM CEST
Part 2: Tu, 13.08.2024, from 6:00 PM CEST
Part 3: Tu, 13.08.2024, from 10:00 PM CEST
Part D: We, 14.08.2024, from 6:00 PM CEST
Part 4: We, 14.08.2024, from 9:00 PM CEST
Part 5: Th, 15.08.2024, from 5:00 PM CEST
Part E: Fr, 16.08.2024, from 5:00 PM CEST
Part 6: Fr, 16.08.2024, from 9:00 PM CEST
Part 7: Sa, 17.08.2024, from 5:00 PM CEST
Part F: Sa, 17.08.2024, from 6:00 PM CEST
Part 8: Mo, 19.08.2024, from 7:00 PM CEST
Part G: Tu, 20.08.2024, from 6:00 PM CEST
Part 9: Tu, 20.08.2024, from 7:00 PM CEST
Part H: Tu, 20.08.2024, from 8:00 PM CEST
Part 10: We, 21.08.2024, from 6:00 PM CEST
Part I: We, 21.08.2024, from 6:00 PM CEST
Part 11: Th, 22.08.2024, from 6:00 PM CEST
Part J: Th, 22.08.2024, from 6:00 PM CEST
Part K: Fr, 23.08.2024, from 6:00 PM CEST
Part 12: Fr, 23.08.2024, from 6:00 PM CEST
Description
1787 Immunis Columbia Copper / Large Eagle Reverse. W-5680. Rarity-4+. Plain Edge, Narrow Planchet. AU-50 (PCGS).
This is a particularly inviting example of this enigmatic issue, displaying handsome olive-brown patina on smooth looking surfaces. The obverse is only slightly aligned toward 6:30, bottom of the date digits off the flan. The reverse is similarly aligned, the very tops of the letters BUS UN engaged by the border. Otherwise we note bold to sharp detail affected only minimally by light high point wear. The usual reverse crack from the eagle's right wing to the letter U in UNUM is noted. The origin and intent of the Immunis Columbia coppers had long been debated by numismatic scholars. Walter Breen had suggested that they were patterns for a proposed U.S. coinage, although the number of examples known and the evidence for extensive commercial use that most display suggest that they were intended for circulation. With minimal wear and attractive surfaces, the present specimen is a real treat. If these had been intended as a proposal for contract coinage, as suggested by Breen and others, it would seem that fewer would have been struck and higher grade examples like the present piece would be the norm. Instead, collectors rarely have the opportunity to acquire an example grading finer than Choice EF.
PCGS# 841. NGC ID: BFJL.
From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Christopher B. Young, March 2003.
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Bidding
| Price realized | 4'200 USD |
| Starting price | 1 USD |
| Estimate | 6'000 USD |
