AUCTION RESULTS*

OHN J. FORD, Jr. COLLECTION

COINS, MEDALS AND CURRENCY Part V

NUMISMATIC AMERICAN HISTORY

Early American Coins and Tokens: Voce Populi, Auctori Plebis, Nova Constellatio and Massachusetts Coppers United States Medals:

Naval, Historical and Diplomatic Medals

OCTOBER 12, 2004

123 West 57th Street • New York, NY

PUBLIC AUCTION SALE

LOT #	PRICE	LOT #	PRICE	LOT #	PRICE	LOT #	PRICE
1	2600.00	60	3000.00	119	975.00	178	17000.00
2	2400.00	61	6750.00	120	5250.00	179	1700.00
3	1300.00	62	1100.00	121	2000.00	180	600.00
4	1700.00	63	425.00	122	13000.00	181	675.00
5	5000.00	64	3000.00	123	950.00	182	525.00
6	1500.00	65	425.00	124	1600.00	183	850.00
7	500.00	66	500.00	125	1300.00	184	525.00
8	1300.00	67	1600.00	126	4750.00	185	425.00
9	400.00	68	6250.00	127	1700.00	186	900.00
10	950.00	69	6250.00	128	950.00	187	1700.00
11	600.00	70	1100.00	129	1200.00	188	325.00
12	450.00	71	4750.00	130	600.00	189	500.00
13	475.00	72	12000.00	131	8500.00	190	850.00
14	100.00	73	5000.00	132	2200.00	191	600.00
15	1200.00	74	2600.00	133	600.00	192	17000.00
16	180.00	75	2200.00	134	2200.00	193	47500.00
17	450.00	76	1200.00	135	3000.00	194	9500.00
18	325.00	77	350.00	136	2000.00	195	6000.00
19	200.00	78	3250.00	137	1600.00	196	14000.00
20	725.00	79	1700.00	138	900.00	197	9500.00
21	850.00	80	5000.00	139	1200.00	198	4750.00
22	2400.00	81	4000.00	140	750.00	199	5500.00
23	675.00	82	35000.00	141	5750.00	200	6500.00
24	2800.00	83	28000.00	142	4500.00	201	6000.00
25	375.00	84	5750.00	143	775.00	202	32500.00
26	2800.00	85	260000.00	144	4250.00	203	5500.00
27	1500.00	86	2000.00	145	9000.00	204	575.00
28	1200.00	87	1300.00	146	800.00	205	475.00
29	400.00	88	800.00	147	7250.00	206	1100.00
30	1000.00	89	9500.00	148	15000.00	207	775.00
31	1000.00	90	280.00	149	3750.00	208	450.00
32	4000.00	91	375.00	150	1000.00	209	1200.00
33	750.00	92	725.00	151	600.00	210	500.00
34	10000.00	93	725.00	152	10000.00	211	1100.00
35	6000.00	94	9500.00	153	700.00	212	1700.00
36	3500.00	95	1400.00	154	425.00	213	2800.00
37	3750.00	96	1100.00	155	50000.00	214	1200.00
38	3250.00	97	850.00	156	28000.00	215	900.00
39	4500.00	98	3750.00	157	1300.00	216	525.00
40	2000.00	99	775.00	158	1400.00	217	425.00
41	6750.00	100	775.00	159	13000.00	218	600.00
42	3250.00	101	3500.00	160	19000.00	219	3250.00
43	1100.00	102	2800.00	161	18000.00	220	30000.00
44	450.00	103	700.00	162	5750.00	221	6750.00
45	2000.00	104	5250.00	163	18000.00	222	5500.00
46	1800.00	105	800.00	164	12000.00	223	3000.00
47	2000.00	106	18000.00	165	1000.00	224	7500.00
48	2000.00	107	14000.00	166	500.00	225	2200.00
49	2000.00	108	8500.00	167	22000.00	226	1300.00
50	500.00	109	16000.00	168	32500.00	227	2000.00
51	1400.00	110	1500.00	169	1200.00	228	1200.00
52	8000.00	111	1100.00	170	90000.00	229	775.00
53	700.00	112	1100.00	171	32500.00	230	775.00
54	800.00	113	775.00	172	1600.00	231	525.00
55	2200.00	114	5000.00	173	40000.00	232	500.00
56	7750.00	115	1500.00	174	20000.00	233	275.00
57	4500.00	116	1200.00	175	1100.00	234	350.00
58	2600.00	117	1000.00	176	19000.00	235	4250.00
59	7750.00	118	1900.00	177	o o o o o CO	236	675.00

LOT #

PRICE

237	500.00
238	300.00
239	19000.00
240	2000.00
241	13000. 00
242	325.00
243	6250.00
244	4250.00
245	7000.00
246	450.00
247	525.00
248	6250.00
249	4000.00
250	1700.00
251	1400.00
252	7250.00
253	300.00
254	475.00
255	650.00
256	475.00
257	360.00
258	950.00
259	37500.00
260	725.00
261	8000.00
262	3250.00
263	3200.00
264	3000.00
265	2400.00
266	2800.00
267	2200.00
268	3500.00
269	700.00
270	600.00
271	6000.00
272	6000.00
273	2400.00
274	2800.00
275	1900.00
276	1500.00
277	1700.00
278	600.00
279	1000.00
280	15000.00
281	6000.00
282	5250.00
283	12000.00
284	725.00

Stack’s suggests that you employ not only prices realized but also other readily available sources of information in establishing numismatic market value.

*These prices represent the last price called by the auctioneer (the “hammer price”) and do not include the

15% Buyer’s Fee.

STACK’S NUMISMATISTS Appraisals Auctions Retail SINCE 1935

JOHN J. FORD, Jr. COLLECTION

COINS, MEDALS AND CURRENCY

Part V

NUMISMATIC AMERICAN HISTORY

Early American Coins and Tokens: Voce Populi, Auctori Plebis, Nova Constellatio and Massachusetts Coppers United States Medals:

Naval, Historical and Diplomatic Medals

OCTOBER 12, 2004

123 West 57th Street • New York, NY

PUBLIC AUCTION SALE

FRONT COVER

The flag illustrated is the “ Powell Standard,” National Standard of the Philadelphia Light Horse (First City Troop), circa 1797. Image courtesy of “The Museum of the First Troop, Philadelphia City Cavalry.”

PUB

LIC A U C

T I O N SALE

JOHN J. FORD, Jr. COLLECT!

COINS, MEDALS AND CURRENCY

Part V

OCTOBER 12, 2004

Tuesday Evening, October 12, 2004 6:30 EM. Sharp Lots 1-284

October 4, 2004 October 5, 2004 October 6, 2004 October 7, 2004

Lot Viewing — New York City

September 27 - October 1, 2004-By Appointment Only 10:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. October 8, 2004 10:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.

10:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. October 11, 2004 10:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.

10:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. October 12, 2004 10:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.

10:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.

Lots will be available for viewing at the above times at our offices at 123 West 57th Street, N.Y, Positively no lots will be shown at Le Parker Meridien Hotel.

Public Auction Sale

This Public Auction Sale will be held in the Tansa Room (3rd floor) of LE PARKER MERIDIEN HOTEL, 118 West 57th Street, New York City (between 6th and 7th Avenues)

Catalogued by

123 WEST 57th STREET, NEW YORK, N.Y. 10019-2280 Telephone (212) 582-2580 FAX (212) 245-5018 or (212) 582-1946 info@stacks.com

Licensed Auctioneers: Harvey G. Stack, #0522763; Lawrence Stack, #0798114.

Pre-Sale Online Bidding available at www.stacks.com

Harvey G. Stack Lawrence R. Stack Susan C. Stack

NUMISMATIC STAFF NUMISMATIC CONSULTANT

David T. Alexander Michael Hodder

Scott Mitchell NUMISMATIC PRODUCTION AND GRAPHICS

Vicken Yegparian Jan Eric Blamberg

RECOLLECTIONS OF JOHN J. FORD, Jr.

by George Fuld

I have the distinction of being John Ford’s first customer at New Netherlands. My father, Melvin Fuld, and I had been dealing with Charles Wormser at New Netherlands for about a year, acquiring mostly Wash- ington medals and Civil War tokens. On one occasion in 1951 we stopped on a trip to New York at New Netherlands to see new material that Charles Wormser had mentioned to us. There, we met John, who was just finishing negotiations to join the New Netherlands Coin firm. I didn’t realize then that he was destined to be both a friend and a strong influence on my numismatic life.

Years later I found out that the new material Charles Wormser had was the Brock collection from the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania. They did, indeed, have some eye popping items! John pitched right in and handled all our negotiations that day. Among other things he sold us was a famed Maris 4-C, the holed example of the Washington New Jersey copper. $550 was the price we paid. It was by far the highest amount we had ever spent for a single coin. Today it is worth in the five figures range! In our discussions, I mentioned to John that I had acquired an extremely fine 1856 Flying Eagle Cent. This interested him very much. That day, the first personal proposition he made to Dad and me was to trade the 1856 Flying Eagle (worth about $100) for a copy of the Washington-Independence medal, Baker 53. We also purchased several other items. Even though there were many more transactions between us, in the end, this first one stayed the most mem- orable. John was not even officially part of the New Netherlands firm until the week following our deal!

Over the years we continued to buy much material through New Netherlands from the Alien-Brand es- tate. John, on a personal basis, started making trades of merchant tokens with me. The largest transaction I recall was $1,500 worth of merchants (at 1960 prices) for a 1792 oval Washington Peace medal that I wished. He wouldn’t consider cash, only a trade, typical of his thinking. Much of the exonumia that he acquired is now noted ex George Fuld in the descriptions of his holdings.

John and Joan Ford lived in New York (Rockville Center, Long Island to be exact) and when we were in town we were privy to viewing his bomb shelter which held all his treasures. It was quite an experience!

One of the most amusing incidents with John took place when my wife Doris and I attended the 1969 ANA convention in Philadelphia. Doris had never been to a coin show before and was quite surprised at the extent of it all. As we neared John’s table and we saw him wearing his famous lariat tie around his neck, he sum- moned me to him loudly in his strong New York accent. “Hey, George have I got a great deal for you.” Doris stared at him, mentally putting him in the category of a barker at a circus. She watched curiously as he showed me a small box of miscellaneous tokens. Her eyes widened. “Yours for $250, this box of twenty or so pieces,” he said. I quickly reached for my checkbook. Doris’s eyes expressed disbelief. I smiled and told her to not to worry. (All she could see were twenty ugly tokens.) I accepted the box and we went on our way. Ten minutes later I sold one token for $200 to another dealer. Doris shook her head as she finally understood. Over the years, Doris and John established a friendly relationship. However, to this day, she recalls her first meeting with the John Ford and his lariat, with a wry smile.

This is only a brief picture of a few of my many experiences with John. He was a very sharp trader but I never regretted any of our transactions. Some of my most cherished memories in thirty five years in numis- matics are of dealings that John and I had together.

— 2 —

THE CHARLES IRA BUSHNELL COLLECTION

One of the greatest of all numismatic collections was formed by New Yorker Charles Ira Bushnell. Bush- nell was a close correspondent with Sylvester Crosby and supplied him with notes, rubbings, and specimens to illustrate Crosby’s classic Early Coins of America. Bushnell attracted his fair share of dealers, all of whom tried to sell him coins and medals, with varying degrees of success. Some things Bushnell bought were mag- nificent and rare. Others were still warm from the dies.

Bushnell’s collection was bought by fellow and rival collector Lorin Parmelee. Parmelee took what he wanted and consigned the rest to the Chapman brothers for sale at auction. Samuel and Henry Chapman were then both starting on their careers as coin and medal cataloguers and the Bushnell auction was their first serious named sale. Their catalog attracted much comment at the time from business friends and ene- mies and contemporary reviews of it are still fun to read. What saved the Chapmans was the fact that no matter how well or poorly they described Bushnell’s lots, the sale contained some incredible rarities like a 1787 Brasher Doubloon, a 1792 silver centered Cent, and a Baltimore Denarium. Despite the fact that Parmelee bought back many of the great lots, the auction put the Chapmans on the map despite the jealousy and backbiting they endured from their fellow dealers.

John Ford loved the Bushnell collection and sale catalog because the former mirrored in many ways his own numismatic interests and because he took a professional interest in the latter. In the words to follow one can almost hear him speaking about himself in his description of how Bushnell bought his coins and medals and why he eschewed most regular U.S. Mint strikes. We are happy to reproduce here (from The Coin Collector’s Journal, March-April, 1951) one of John’s favorite articles, his own story about the Bushnell sale, written just six years after his return from the war.

CATALOGU E

ov to*

CELEBRATED AND VALUABLE COLLECTION

AMERICAN

COINS AND MEDALS

OF THE LATE

Charles I. Bushnell, esq.

CATALOGUED BY

S. H. & H. CHAPMAN,

PHILADELPHIA.

Ajto^to sold at Aootior by

MESSRS. BANGS & CO.

Nos. 739 & 741 Broadway , New York,

ox

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the 20lb. 21st, 22d, 23d, 24ih of June,

1882,

Commencing ot ,1 o'clock:, I' it., on etch Jag.

— 3 —

NUMISMATIC AMERICANA: The Bushnell Sale

by John J. Ford, Jr.

Every decade, during the past century, has included a numismatic event of such singular importance that it continues to reverberate, influencing our aims and interests, even to this day. A particularly appropriate example of such an occurrence is the sale of the Charles I. Bushnell collection, almost seventy years ago, which heralded the beginning of a new era in American Numismatics.

C. I. Bushnell died, at the age of seventy, in his New York home on Sept. 17th, 1880. He was well known as the author of two numismatic works, published in 1858 and 1859, concerning Tradesman (Merchant) and Political tokens and the First Three Business tokens of N. Y. It was a popular opinion, that Mr. Bushnell possessed an unsurpassed knowledge of Colonial and Early American coins. His collection, one of the most famous ever assembled, was unusually strong in Americana, particularly Colonial coins, Medals, Tokens, Cards and similar items.

Within a few days of Mr. Bushnell’s demise, almost all of the well known dealers attempted to contact his family with ill concealed interest relative to the purchase of his estate. The collection was initially offered by the son of Mrs. B., the executrix, at the round figure of $10,000. without finding a purchaser. The opportu- nity to carefully examine the collection was difficult to obtain, but eventually, several people obtained a fair view of the coins, and as much as $7,500. was offered by a New York party. W. E. Woodward, H. P. Smith, H. C. Sampson, and other dealers, including the indefatigable Ed Frossard, all attempted to obtain the collec- tion, and at one time or another, all seemed to have an equal chance of success.

The aforementioned gentlemen did not, however, stop to consider the young and extremely precocious Chapman brothers of Philadelphia. The Chapmans, Samuel Hudson and Henry Jr., were but twenty three and twenty one years of age at the time of Mr. Bushnell’s passing. Both had served an apprenticeship with dealer Haseltine and both were extremely capable young men, well versed in the mysteries of their chosen profession. As in similar situations, the bright eyed and ambitious, however earnest and sincere, were con- stantly waylaid and badgered by their contemporaries. On the other hand, the Chapmans were fully aware of their knowledge and other sterling attributes, and were not, at the time, susceptible to anything resembling modesty.

Ed Frossard, a former Professor of Languages and a partially disabled veteran of the Civil War, cleverly described the success of Messrs. Chapman in regard to the acquisition of the Bushnell estate. “While the fray at the front gate of the citadel was waxing hot, the Chapman brothers, by a brilliant strategic movement, having secured an ally within, entered through the postern gate in the rear, and captured the stronghold, much to the dismay of the craft in general, for few, excepting well-informed observers, had thought of them.” What Frossard and the others did not learn until much later, was that the Chapmans had more than “An Ally Within” to aid them in obtaining the Bushnell material for sale.

“The Ally Without,” in this situation, was a Boston baker by the name of Lorin G. Parmelee. Mr. Parmelee began collecting in earnest about 1865 and after obtaining the Seavey, Adams and Brevoort cabi- nets, rapidly became the foremost collector in the country, his interest becoming stronger as Bushnell’s di- minished. By 1880, he owned the finest existing collection of Colonial coins and the regular U.S. Mint issues and had, for several years, been negotiating with C. I. Bushnell for the purchase of his collection. After Mr. B.’s death, Parmelee would naturally be a most interested party, as the acquisition of a few pieces from the Bushnell estate would make his collection one of the most complete ever formed. Finally, Lorin G. Parmelee bought the Bushnell collection, at a figure still unknown, but probably over $7,500. and a little under $8,500. By this shrewd purchase, he secured at apparently high, but really nominal prices, the few rarities needed to complete his superb holdings.

While the owner of the Bushnell collection was privileged to withdraw the most interesting items, Parmelee placed the entire estate into the hands of the Chapmans and requested that they catalog it for sale. Thereby, he could remain in the background and legitimately buy, against open competition, the coins neces- sary to round out his collection. Why the Chapmans were selected to sell the Bushnell estate is not clear, un- less of course, it is understood that they were said to be Nephews, by marriage, of the late Charles I. Bushnell.

In course, as it always must, the word went around and the Chapmans made a statement, through Mr. Frossard, which appeared in a supplement to the March, 1882 issue of “Numisma.” — “The rumors which have been circulated, by those envious of their success, to the effect that a certain number of rarities are withdrawn by previous arrangement wit h a certain prominent Boston numismatist, who was said to be their backer in the negotiations with Mr. Bushnell’s son, are unfounded, and untrue. Every coin, medal, die and duplicate, of which there are many, will go in the sale, and everything is to be sold, without reserve to the highest bidder.”

Within a very short time, the Chapmans prepared an announcement for the forth-coming sale, consisting of a circular, describing a sumptuous catalogue, corresponding in size, and forming a sequel to “Crosby’s Early Coins of America.” This was somewhat unusual, as the catalogues of the period were small affairs, of- fering brief descriptions and limited commentary, often little better than lists of the material to be sold. The announced length of the Bushnell catalogue and subsequent sale was also somewhat startling, as the total number of lots approached 3,000, and the sale itself was to be conducted for six days. The most radical de- parture however, as announced by the compilers, was an asking price of $5.00 for a limited edition of the cat- alogue with ten Phototype plates. (Actually published with twelve.)

This, coupled with the 500 asked for a plain catalogue and the $1.00 for a priced one, plus the claim that the “Magnum Opus” would prove a sequel to as well as matching S. S. Crosby’s work in size, was too much for several critics, including Ed Frossard, who later observed: “It must be stated that while 50 cents is only a fair price for this large and handsomely printed catalogue, $5. is too much by half for the illustrated one. There is but one opinion among collectors on this point. The former ridiculous pretensions of the compilers to the effect that the catalogue would form a sequel to Crosby’s masterly work ‘The Early Coins of America,’ also fall to the ground. There are in fact very few Colonial coins described not found in Crosby, and as no new light is shed on his work, and the borrowed information, conveyed with painful labor, belongs to the de- scriptive rather than the historical, it can neither supplant nor explain Crosby, but rather needs the expla- nations of the latter to make itself intelligible.”

The actual appearance of the catalogue itself, early in 1882, brought forth extensive comments, including several snickers, the majority of which originated with the gentlemen who had an axe to grind. The Bushnell catalogue contained 136 pages and exactly 3,000 lots. Correcting the announcement, the sale was a five day one, June 20 through 24, 1882, and as previously mentioned, the $5.00 edition contained twelve plates rather than the ten originally contemplated.

Mr. Bushnell’s collection was always considered somewhat mysterious as he bought secretly and through others and generally under an assumed name. It is said that even his closest friends had little knowledge of the full extent of his cabinet. The appearance of the catalogue was eagerly looked for with interest and cu- riosity by collectors in general as the final dispersion of the collection seemed of the greatest importance.

The initial criticism concerned itself with the contents of the collection. The progressive element of the pe- riod righteously bewailed the lack of U.S. Mint issues in the Bushnell cabinet. Regardless of how complete or how fine a collection Mr. B. had made of Colonials, American Medals and Store Cards, the breast-beaters wondered why he had neglected the rarities of the Silver series; the 1804, 1851 and 1852 Dollars; the 1796 and 97 Halves; the 1823 and 1827 Quarters and the rarer Dimes and Half Dimes, as well as the later Pattern issues of the U.S. Mint.

The fact that Mr. Bushnell had collected for a number of years, particularly when rarities were cheap and collectors few, was oft brought to the fore, in several instances in rather derogatory terms. A comparison was made with the Mickley collection, sold in 1867, and as Frossard acidly remarked, “The Mickley cabinet still remains the best, most complete, as well as the most valuable American collection ever offered for competi- tion in this country.” Of course, the fact that Bushnell was a sincere collector and student of Americana, with little regard for the ersatz productions of the Mint, including the 1804, 1851 and 1852 Dollars, made lit- tle difference to the critics of the day. The Chapmans alone seemed to appreciate Bushnell’s lack of love for the regular Mint Silver issues.

Professor Frossard’s “Numisma” appeared about five years after he took an active interest in numismatics and upon its yellowed pages we find extensive comments concerning the Chapmans especially in connection with their catalogue of the Bushnell sale. In May, 1882, No. 3 of Vol. 6, we find the following tirade, obvi- ously penned upon receipt of the catalogue. “As regards the arrangement and composition of the catalogue we remark with pleasure that the carelessness in composition, indifferent grammar, and tautology, found in the former combined productions of Messrs. Chapman, have to a certain extent been avoided in this. A good story must be well told, or it loses its charm, and it would have been a pity to see such adjectives as ‘uncircu- lated, bold and sharp impression,’ or ‘unique, exceedingly rare, and only specimen known,’ thrown in unend- ing and tiresome repetitions throughout the catalogue. It looks indeed as if a person of mature judgment, sound learning, and accustomed to utter good English, had drawn the Messrs. Chapman from the inextrica- ble tangles into which they have been wont to fall when endeavoring to make a point. If such be the case his name should have been mentioned as a collaborator, but it is quite as probable that they have simply fol- lowed the recognized authorities without referring to their lists of works, and this is the most unpleasing pe- culiarity of the catalogue, and one that cannot be overlooked. Except where it could not be avoided, the names of every American authority on coins and medals have carefully been excluded. Messrs. Chapman ap- parently prefer to leave the collectors in the dark rather than commit themselves so far as to mention a sin- gle name.”

— 5 —

Later, in another issue of his house organ, that of July, 1882, No. 4 of Vol. 6, immediately following the sale, Frossard became somewhat snide and altered his earlier opinions to an actual attack. “A plain and cor- rect catalogue would have reflected honor on its compilers, but Chapman Bros, apparently exhausted them- selves on the plates and mechanical part of the work, unconscious of the fact that a proper use of English terms, and intelligible construction, also general accuracy in statements made, are of greater importance in works of this kind than thick paper, new type, and gilt letters. Careless proof reading, tautology, and exhibi- tion of boastful egotism can be overlooked; hazardous, overdrawn, incorrect statements of history, rarity and conditions cannot; the latter, rather than the former, are the chief defects of the catalogue, but all combin- ing, help make the Bushnell sale catalogue, as published, unworthy of the collection it is supposed to de- scribe.”

The sale itself began promptly at Three P.M., Tuesday, June 20th, 1882, in the sales rooms of Bangs & Co., 739-742 Broadway, N.Y.C. Lot #1, a Sierra Leone Penny of 1791, was purchased by Frossard and pre- sented to Edward Cogan as a souvenir of the sale. Number 2 was bought by H. G. Sampson and presented to W. H. Strobridge for a like reason. Lorin Parmelee bought in the Good Samaritan Shilling for $650. [This will be sold with Mr. Ford’s collection at a later date - ed.] as well as the cream of the Massachusetts Silver plus the Lord Baltimore Penny at $550. [Sold in Ford 2 for $241,500 - ed.], together with a large number of other desirable Colonials.

The monotony of the second day of the sale was broken by a gentleman who sat at the rear of the room and loudly criticized the descriptions of the various coins. The Chapmans purchased a large number of rare Colonials, and Ed Frossard obtained the most desirable item offered, the Brasher Doubloon, for a paltry $505.00. Parmelee continued to buy odd pieces to round out his already magnificent collection.

The third day’s bidding was enlivened by the presence of one Harrison, a Baltimore collector, who ob- tained the finest of the Washington medals offered. Parmelee purchased many of the first grade Washington coins while other room bidders actively fought for the balance.

The fourth day’s sale was made noteworthy by the spirited interest in Early Mint Patterns almost all of which brought record prices. Parmelee again led the bidders, although the majority of the items offered were snapped up about the room. The last day of the sale, June 25th, was marked by the offering of the regular U.S. material. Friend Frossard purchased a Fine 1800 Silver Dollar and on behalf of the bidders, with the ex- ception of “Long John” (Haseltine) and the two brothers, presented it to the Auctioneer as a pocket piece.

Observations made at the time of the sale are rich in human interest. The bidding generally was spirited and rapid, the Chapmans starting each lot at a round figure, and when not going up quickly enough, were said to occasionally attempt bidding against each other. Mr. Richard Cogan had charge of the coins while on exhibition, and kept a record of the sales. The New York press attended the sale, due no doubt to the exten- sive publicity it had received. Among others, the Tribune, World, Sun and Times were represented. One ob- server remarked that the man from the Times was intelligent and dressed faultlessly.

Lorin G. Parmelee was the largest buyer, adding $3,800. worth of material to his famous collection. The Chapmans were next, having spent some $3,000. for stock. The other heavy buyers were Frossard ($2,500.);

G. W. Cogan ($1,600.); H. G. Sampson and J. W. Haseltine. In all, the collection which probably cost Bush- nell about twice the amount, realized $13,901.00, and was seemingly very profitable to Mr. Parmelee.

All in all, it was a lively and successful sale, the average daily attendance being about twenty five, includ- ing buyers and spectators. Among others present, were Prof. Anthon, Ed Cogan, Sr., Daniel Parish, Jr., W.

H. Strobridge, W. Poillon, Wm. S. Appleton, Parmelee, F. W. Doughty, G. W. Cogan, Lyman H. Low, Charles Steigerwalt, H. P. Smith, Major Nicolls, J. W. Scott and Dave Proskey, all famous names in the glorious his- tory of American numismatics.

It is said that humorous little incidents and remarks between the auctioneer, Mr. Merwin, and the audi- ence, relieved the general monotony and kept everybody in a good humor. A reflection upon the times is con- tained in a comment made earlier by one of the catalogues for Bangs & Co. “Patent portable spittoons cost only 50^ apiece, and it costs $5.00 to have the auction rooms on Broadway scrubbed after each coin sale. Not being interested in the sale of the patent article, we only throw out the suggestion as a friendly hint.”

f rossard, while generally caustic on the subject of the Bushnell catalogue and its youthful compilers, made a few references which seem decidedly complimentary: “One feature for which Messrs. Chapman deserve praise is the care they appear to have exercised in pointing out all coins which our numismatic authorities have since the Mickley sale discovered to be spurious; in all such cases they boldly announce the fact, no matter what the cost may have been to Mr. Bushnell. In questions of authenticity therefore, we grant them the merit of having been painstaking, intelligent and honest.”

6

However, the Professor, in future issues of “Numisma” continued to tear into the Chapmans and seemed to delight in heaping abuse upon the Bushnell sale. He was joined by W. E. Woodward, who, in his catalogue of the Montreal sale, July 1882, made a scathing attack upon the two brothers. After questioning the origin of several lots, Woodward remarked as follows: “There are many other pieces in this celebrated collection around which a veil of mystery has long been thrown, which, if they could be illuminated by the light of truth, would have their lofty pretensions sadly lowered-notwithstanding ‘Our opinion,’ which throughout the catalogue is apparently regarded by the young gentlemen who compiled it, as amply sufficient to settle any mooted question in American numismatics.”

Those among us who follow every current sale of this generation with unyielding enthusiasm, must won- der at the obvious freedom enjoyed by our forefathers. The publication in a numismatic journal today of sim- ilar gross indignities would, in effect, be responsible for a catastrophe of no little magnitude.

In an effort to completely overshadow the earlier criticism of his own and of others, Frossard, in a final at- tack, listed in detail every lot in the Bushnell sale that he could find fault with. Actually, many of these com- ments are quite amusing and should be followed carefully by every owner of the Bushnell catalogue. They indicate obvious dissatisfaction for a work that is currently valued by many leading authorities as a standard reference.

A LITTLE DRY READING FOR THE ANTIQUARIES

Nos. 14, 16 and 17; Counterfeits.

145. Bogus and modern; why did not Bushnell say whence he obtained the piece? If from England some one must have sold it to him; but the piece is known to be a fraud from the fact that the man who bought Hub No. 2844, said “that he bought the hub because he had the piece.”

176. Crosby right; bogus.

186 and 187. Nothing to do with Florida and 188 a Spanish medal.

241. Counterfeit.

247. More than 1 dozen known; probably a restrike.

266. Counterfeit casting.

289 and 1544. “Knawing” is good.

291. “It is our opinion.” For shure.

337. W. E. Woodward has had a dozen.

349. “Two or three known.” -Bosh.

362. “Cast copper silver plated. ” -Original.

537. Was there ever a Colburn sale?

608. “We do not think so.” Oh! Fountain of wisdom! Deep well of knowledge!

620. Cast not stamped.

653. “One of the most,” etc .-Bosh.

712 and 715. More bosh.

740. “Very rare and the rarest variety.” Good English.

775. Counterfeit of the period.

778. “Celebrated;” who celebrates it?

878, 887, 896. “Five known,” “Five known,” “Three known,” how known and whence did the antiquaries derive this bit of gossip?

920. Too much bosh! Crosby’s original statement correct.

— 7 —

1005. Edge engrailed (with a chisel).

1017, ’26, ’38, ’52, ’64, ’69, ’81, ’90, 1107, ’14, ’16, ’21; none silver.

1212. “Imploring of him;” good Irish. Poor English.

1217 and ’35. What is “A band of clouds?”

1244. A marvelous discovery and statement. This piece was lately bought by Scott & Co. at $7.50. Query. How did it get in the Bushnell sale?

1265 and 1303. “Rays diverting,” the description is diverting, the rays diverge.

1289. “Licking the calf,” and “Minding the baby;” quite classical.

1335 and 1343. Electrotypes.

1375. Marvin 705; a mule.

1400. “Sunk disk” is good.

1553, ’745, ’78 and ’79. Electrotypes.

1605. “This is one,” etc.; Bosh.

1616. “medal awarded Congress;” when?

1660. W.E.W. has the dies.

1748, ’49, ’51. “Arctic” “Artie;” bound to have the spelling correct.

1764. U.S. Mint at Phila., which has been cleaned in acid; when?

1848. Electrotype.

1843, 1929, ’67. What Express? Adams?

1976 and ’82. And it is Alex. Hamilton?

2183. “Similar but very different;” Clear as mud.

2205 and ’06. “Beath” and “Uncirbulated” are good.

2230. Not Silver.

2279, and ’82. “sewn” and “Sewen” of course not sewed.

2617. “We believe,” “We had,” “We sold,” “We have,” By the way, quite a number of the Cents were polished with stove blacking; all the ’94s, 1814, ’27, etc.; none of the 1794 cents were struck as proofs, and they rated at from very good to uncirculated; all the fine silver medals had been cleaned.

2635, etc. “Variety to last;” to, good.

Many of the half dollars did not belong to Bushnell’s collection. “Bless my heart,” innocently exclaimed Major Nicolls, suddenly looking up from his catalogue, “Why, I never knew I had so many uniques in my col- lection!

Auct. “Three cents, going at three cents to Proskey.”

Pr. “No Sir, I did not bid on these.”

Auct. “Beg pardon, I thought it was yours from the size of the bid.”

Auct. (To H.G.S.) “No Sir, you can’t have that Silly head cent, that belongs in Philadelphia.”

Sampson. “How about the Booby head?”

Auct. “That goes there too, it makes up the pair.”

Smith. (Loud) “That’s bogus.”

Chapman. (Sotte voce) “Shut up Smith.”

I Ford continues! Undoubtedly the Chapmans ably weathered the blistering and abusive commentary heaped upon them during their formative years. The catalog of the Bushnell collection was the first of twenty one other large size sale catalogs.

I he Bushnell catalog announced the beginning of an era. It was the first of the widely publicized “Name” sales and was the first catalog to be really dressed up with special type, expensive paper and extensive illus- trations.

— 8 —

1760 VOCE POPULI COPPERS

Lot No. 15

NOVA CONSTELLATIO COPPERS

No. 32

Lot No. 34

All coins on this plate are shown enlarged.

— 9 —

1760 VOCE POPULI COPPERS

There is no evidence of any substance that these are American colonial coins. Crosby did not include them. Jerry Zelinka noted that they have been sold in U.S. auctions as colonials since the 1870’s, so habit is really their only claim on the early American series.

Similarly, there is no evidence that the letter “P” on the obverse of a few varieties stands for “Pretender”, “Provost”, “Prince”, “Princeps”, “Penny”, or “Prussia”. The inscription “Voce Populi” (“At the call of the people”) simply means the issue pretended it was struck because the people needed it, not that the Irish demanded home rule.

In a letter to the cataloguer dated November 19, 1986, numismatic historian Colm Gallagher noted that the dominant copper coin in 18th c. urban Ireland was the “Rap”. Periodically, the quality of these local lightweight coppers rose or fell and in 1760 it fell. John Roche, a respectable Dublin maker of buttons and gilt militaria, cashed in on the fall by issuing the Voce Populi coppers. Local newspapers wrote at the time that makers of the “Raps” would have to make their coins as heavy and as well as those made by the issuers of the Voce Populis. The “Rap- pers” did not, resulting in cries for their suppression and a gun fight between the police and the counterfeiters. When Roche died in 1760 the papers noted him as “the maker of the counters called VOCE POPULI which pass for halfpence in this city.” Later, in November, 1760 Dublin authorities seized Roche’s dies and press.

The coinage comes in two sizes: Farthing and Halfpenny. The former are rarer. The “P” marked coins are heav- ier than the non-P ones and are generally close to the weights of contemporary George II Irish halfpence. These two groups are quite distinct by weight but both appear to have been made in the same workshop. It is possible that the heavier coins were struck first, the lighter ones following. This might explain why coiner Roche’s opera- tion was left alone by the authorities at first, but later shut down following his death.

The standard reference to the series is Jerry Zelinka’s “The Enigmatic Voce Populi Halfpenny of 1760” (pub- lished in The Colonial Newsletter, October 1976, seq. pp. 556-565), which supplements Philip Nelson’s earlier The Coinage of Ireland in Copper, Tin and Pewter (1905). The finest collections of Voce Populi coppers sold in recent memory were the 1987 Taylor and 1988 Norweb sales. Taylor’s included many of the coins Zelinka plated in 1976. Norweb’s included outstanding quality pieces bought from many sources. Neither is a match, overall, for Ford’s. I’he cataloguer expresses his appreciation to Stan Stephens for his notes on rarity and condition that may be found throughout this section of the sale.

1 he Ford Collection of Voce Populi coppers was started by Hillyer Ryder late in the 19th c. Three of the pieces included have pedigrees to purchases Ryder made from Baldwin & Sons in the early 1920’s. Others reach back to American sales of the 1920 s. Frederick Boyd bought the Ryder Collection intact from Wayte Raymond and appar- ently considered the Voce Populi portion of it complete, since he added nothing. Mr. Ford followed Boyd’s example. I he collection to follow, therefore, would be entirely familiar to Ryder as it is essentially as he left it. Why he did not include a Small Letters Farthing when Nelson knew of the variety is perhaps explained by the great rarity of the piece.

10 —

Public Auction Sale

TUESDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 12, 2004 6:30 P.M. SHARP LOTS 1 - 284

IMPORTANT NOTICE

In accordance with the terms of sale, each successful bidder also agrees to pay a buyer’s charge of fifteen percent (15%) of the winning bid recognized by the auctioneer.

THE JOHN J. FORD, Jr. COLLECTION

PART 5

1760 VOCE POPULI COPPERS

SCARCE 1760 VOCE POPULI FARTHING

Lot No. 1

1 1760 Voce Populi Farthing. Large Letters. Extremely Fine. Scarce. Nelson 1, Breen 234. 48.2 gns. 20.9 mm. Thin

planchet. Rich, even brown on the reverse with some light mottling in places on the obverse. Obverse surface quite smooth to the naked eye; reverse a trifle rougher, particularly in the left field. Rim rough at lower left. Typical obverse clashing, visible at the upper right and lower left, with a small raised mark in the lower right field usually seen on these. Reverse state seems per- fect. Well centered on both sides, with nearly complete borders of denticles around each rim. Struck on a flan cut from a rolled strip, with a planchet cutter lip visible on the obverse at 2:00. The farthings were not included in Zelinka’s listings of the series and there were none in the Taylor sale (1987) that included Zelinka’s own collection of the series.

Ex Tom Elder’s 44th Sale (October 12, 1910, lot 495); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 2 Lot No. 3

2 1760 Voce Populi Farthing. Large Letters. Extremely Fine. Scarce. N.l, Br.234. 42.6 gns. 20.9 mm. Thin planchet. A sec- ond. Nice, deep olive brown in color on both sides. Obverse fields just microgranular; reverse rougher, particularly in the center where the die did not fill sufficiently to make a sharp strike. Obverse striated in appearance, probably from the strip roller. Typ- ical clash marks on the obverse at upper and lower right, others more faintly at upper left. Reverse slightly off center, to the bottom, with just the bases of the date numerals running off the flan. Obverse somewhat off center, to the top. with ‘PO’ touch- ing the edge. Also struck from a rolled strip.

Ex Baldwin & Sons, Ltd. in November 1921; Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

3 1760 Voce Populi Farthing. Large Letters. Choice Very Fine. N.l, Br.234. 71.6 gns. 20.6 mm. Thick planchet. Rare.

Pleasing, light olive tan and brown in color. Obverse surface microgranular; reverse a trifle rougher as expected. Typical ob- verse state, the die clashed at upper and lower right. Reverse soft in the center. Struck on a clipped flan, the planchets for these were cut from rolled strip. Small obverse rim dent at about 5:30.

Ex Tom Elder’s 40th Sale (April 23, 1910, lot 954); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

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1760 VOCE POPULI COPPERS

RARE BOYISH HEAD HALFPENNY

Lot No. 4

4 1760 Voce Populi Halfpenny. Boyish Head. Very Fine. Rare. Zelinka 1-A, N.l. 115.0 gns. 27.1 mm. Pale gray

brown in color on both sides. Surfaces microgranular, particularly on the reverse. Some traces of old and apparently inac- tive verdigris on the obverse. Fairly well centered on both sides, tight at the right on the obverse and the top on the re- verse. A couple of very minor reverse rim tics are noted. Nicer than the Norweb coin although not as well centered on the back. Not quite as sharp as the Zelinka-Taylor coin.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

THE FINEST SEEN OLDER HEAD HALFPENNY

Lot No. 5

5 1760 Voce Populi Halfpenny. Older Head. Uncirculated, red and brown. Z.2-A, N.4. 112.0 gns. 26.0 mm. Small

flan, called “Nelson 4A” by Boyd. An absolutely amazing specimen. The obverse is toned in a rich pale mahogany and tan. The reverse is a lighter golden tan in color. The surfaces are microgranular on both sides but not disturbingly so. Well struck in the centers, with some details showing on Liberty’s waist and most of the curl detail in the center of the obverse present and sharp. Traces of original mint red color can be seen on the tops and around other portions of most letters on both sides. Rim somewhat ragged at the top of the obverse, denticles missing there. Fairly well centered, the obverse nearly perfectly so, the reverse off to the bottom, bases of first and last numerals in the date run off the flan. The finest seen. Nicer than the Norweb:3408 coin, better centered on the front (although not on the back) and with mint red color lacking from that coin. Far superior to the Taylor coin. (SEE COLOR PLATE )

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

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1760 VOCE POPULI COPPERS

SHARP OLDER HEAD HALFPENNY

Lot No. 6

6 1760 Voce Populi Halfpenny. Older Head. Choice About Uncirculated. Z.2-A, N.4. A second. 108.2 gns. 28.1 mm.

Normal sized flan. Very attractive dark olive green and brown in color. Obverse and reverse surfaces just microgranular and certainly not disturbingly so. Broad strike with a full border of denticles on the obverse and all reverse letters and date numerals fully on the flan. Sharp centers as expected from such a strong strike. There are faint traces of original mint lustre visible in places in the fields. A couple of minor reverse rim tics and a bump are noted. A tad sharper than Norweb:3408. Some of these Z.2-A’s were struck from a misaligned obverse that slammed into the planchet with such force that metal was forced up and around the die (the Norweb coin is another example). Others were not (the preceding and the next lot are others). Why is a mystery.

Ex H illy er Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

A THIRD OLDER HEAD HALFPENNY

Lot No. 7

7 1760 Voce Populi Halfpenny. Older Head. Extremely Fine. Z.2-A, N.4. 110.0 gns. A third. 26.0 mm. Small flan. Pale

golden tan in color on both sides. Obverse and reverse surfaces a trifle rough in places, granular elsewhere. Fairly well centered on the obverse as expected; reverse much tighter with the tops of most letters at or running off the edge. Some minor rim dis- turbances noted on the reverse.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

OUTSTANDING LONG NOSE HALFPENNY

Lot No. 8

8 1760 Voce Populi Halfpenny. Long Nose. Choice Extremely Fine. Very scarce. Z.3-C, N.8. 111.4 gns. 27.0 mm.

Very pleasing olive green and brown in color on both sides. Obverse and reverse surfaces appear fairly smooth and hard to the naked eye. Well struck in the centers, particularly for the grade. Obverse slightly off center to the lower left but the border is visible around most of this side of the coin; reverse slightly off to the upper left, tops of ‘BER’ touch or run off the edge. Shallow rim clip on the obverse at about 7:00, more noticeable on the reverse at 11:00. Outstanding example, finer than both the Norweb and Taylor coins (the latter being the Zelinka plate coin).

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

— 13 —

1760 VOCE POPULI COPPERS

Lot No. 9

9 1760 Voce Populi Halfpenny. Long Nose. Choice Very Fine. Very scarce. Z.3-C, N.8. 114.5 gns. 26.5 mm. A second exam-

ple. Dark olive brown and green on both sides. Obverse and reverse surfaces smooth in most places, the latter’s rough at the upper left. Well centered on the obverse; reverse off to the top as usual. Some traces of verdigris visible in the letters on the right side of the obverse. About on a par with the Norweb coin.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

SUPERIOR SQUARE HEAD HALFPENNY

Lot No. 1 0

10 1760 Voce Populi Halfpenny. Square Head. About Uncirculated. Z.4-B, N.2. Normal tail on 6 in date. 75.3 gns.

27.2 mm. Thin flan. Pale tan and orange-brown in color. Obverse and reverse fields just microgranular, centers much rougher and nearly fully unstruck (as usual). Struck on a much thinner flan than expected (note the weight) resulting in a near total failure of metal flow into the centers of the dies. Both dies very well centered, however, with a full border showing around the obverse and the reverse being soft only at the lower left due principally to failure of metal flow there. Dramatically softly struck in the centers, as usual (see Norweb’s, a near-Gem with mint red that was also softly struck). Technically finer than the Zelinka-Taylor coin and close to Norweb’s for overall quality. Described on the round collec- tor’s ticket accompanying the lot as “Uplifted Face” and “as struck but thin flan.”

Ex Baldwin & Sons, Ltd. in November 1921; Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 1 1 Lot No. 12

11 1760 Voce Populi Halfpenny. Square Head. Extremely Fine. Z.4-B, N.2. Normal tail on 6 in date. A second. 104.3 gns. 27.3

mm. Normal thickness flan. Pale brown in color on both sides. Obverse surface quite rough in places, reverse fields smoother. Considerable, apparently active verdigris visible on both sides. Less softly struck in the centers than usually seen.

Ex Baldwin & Sons, Ltd. in November 1921; Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

12 1760 Voce Populi Halfpenny. Square Head. Choice Very Fine. Z.4-B, N.2. Normal tail on 6 in date. A third. 104.8 gns. 27.4

mm. Normal thickness flan. Pale brown in color on both sides. Obverse surface mostly smooth and hard to the naked eye, with just traces of light granularity at the top. Reverse much rougher in places. Considerable active verdigris visible on that side. Well centered. Fairly typical soft strike in the centers.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F ( Boyd.

1760 VOCE POPULI COPPERS

Lot No. 13

13 1760 Voce Populi Halfpenny. Square Head. Nearly Very Fine. Z.5-D, N.6. Normal date. 104.6 gns. 28.0 mm. Very pale

golden brown on the obverse, the reverse with a couple areas darker in color. Surfaces granular in places, particularly on the re- verse. Centers very soft, barely struck up at all. Obverse slightly off to the lower left; reverse much better centered, somewhat off to the upper left with an extra border of metal visible around the right side. Small obverse rim bump at the lower left. Not as sharp as either the Zelinka-Taylor or the Norweb coin but not as rough looking as those. Zelinka 4-A (Nelson 5) is extremely rare (our friend Stan Stephens writes that is “seems to be nonexistent”). It was missing from the Taylor (i.e., Zelinka’s own) and Norweb Collections and is not represented here.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 14

14 1760 Voce Populi Halfpenny. Square Head. Very rough Fine. Z.5-D, N.6. Normal date. 110.6 gns. 27.5 mm. A second.

Dark gray brown in color. Obverse surface very rough, pitted, rim dented at the upper left and lower right. Reverse not quite so rough save at the top, better centered, edge dent visible at upper right. Rim tics and dents.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

STERN BUST HALFPENNY

Lot No. 15

15 1760 Voce Populi Halfpenny. Stern Bust. About Uncirculated. Z.6-C, N.9. 92.9 gns. 26.4 mm. Both sides are a

light mahogany in the fields, somewhat paler in the centers. Obverse and reverse surfaces just microgranular. Centers quite soft and rougher in appearance. Well centered on both sides, the obverse about perfect, the reverse just tight at the tops of most letters, date numerals full. Reverse die clearly failing. Full reverse legend, the tops of the letters touch or are close to the edge, fuller than Norweb:3413 and Taylor:2033, not as full as the one ex Don Mituzas at 100.5 gns. (seen Feb- ruary 23, 1991). Technically on a par with the Norweb coin and higher in grade than the Zelinka-Taylor piece, but not as sharp as either of those. (SEE COLOR PLATE)

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

— 15 —

1760 VOCE POPULI COPPERS

Lot No. 16

16 1760 Voce Populi Halfpenny. Stern Bust. About Very Fine. Z.6-C, N.9. 99.0 gns. 25.6 mm. A second example. Ruddy

brown obverse, golden brown on the reverse with some patches of pale purple around the periphery. Both surfaces lightly gran- ular in appearance. A couple of obverse rim dents, reverse rim bent at the upper left between ‘BE’. Reverse very tight on the flan, all letters and numerals in the date run off the flan. Typical reverse lettering, tops running off the flan. Reverse rim dents.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 1 7

17 1760 Voce Populi Halfpenny. VOOE. Choice Very Fine. Somewhat scarce. Z.7-E, N.3. 107.5 gns. 26.2 mm. Pale golden

brown in color on both sides with some light green iridescence on the back. Obverse and reverse surfaces just microgranular. Obverse fairly well centered and sharply struck although the center is soft because of insufficient metal flow into the die there. Reverse well centered with a partial border of denticles visible at the bottom. A couple of obverse rim disturbances are noted. Early obverse state, the die break in the mouth of ‘C’ in VOCE just beginning to close to form the VOOE variety. One of these is known with a brass anti-counterfeiting splash like the earlier St. Patrick’s farthings.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 18

18 1760 Voce Populi Halfpenny. VOOE. Choice Very Fine. Somewhat scarce. Z.7-E, N.3. 108.3 gns. 25.9 mm. A second. Pleas-

ing pale olive brown in color on both sides. Obverse surface mostly smooth and hard to the naked eye. Reverse rougher, particu- larly in the center. Obverse slightly off to the bottom, denticles missing there; reverse also off to the bottom, base of date numerals touch or run off the edge. Small obverse rim dent at 5:30. Later obverse die state, the break in the mouth of ‘C’ in VOCE fully closed forming the VOOE variety.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 19

19 1760 Voce Populi Halfpenny. VOOE. Very Fine. Somewhat scarce. Z.7-E, N.3. 116.3 gns. 25.8 mm. A third. Dark golden

brown in color on both sides. Obverse and reverse surface condition somewhat uncertain but apparently granular, rougher on the back. Obverse well centered; reverse off to the upper left with extra metal remaining at the lower right and portions of a planchet cutter lip visible there. Considerable, active verdigris on both sides. Later obverse die state as the preceding, full break in ‘C’ forming the VOOE variety. These arc not as rare as once thought.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd

16 -

1760 VOCE POPULI COPPERS

Lot No. 20

20 1760 Voce Populi Halfpenny. Square Head. Very Fine. Z.8-F, N.7. 123.0 gns. 27.6 mm. Nice light olive brown in color on

both sides. Obverse surface just lightly granular in places; reverse rougher particularly in the center. Both sides well centered, the obverse nearly perfectly so, the reverse a little off to the lower left. Bases of two of the date numerals seem to run to the edge or off the flan. Some obverse and reverse rim disturbances are noted. A fairly decent example of a tough variety, missing, for example, from the Norweb Collection. The Zelinka-Taylor coin is sharper, but this one seems less rough. Some rim tics.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

AN OUTSTANDING VOCE POPULI TYPE COIN

Lot No. 21

21 1760 Voce Populi Halfpenny. Long Head. Choice Extremely Fine, nearly About Uncirculated. Somewhat scarce.

Z.13-K, N.10. 130.8 gns. 28.3 mm. Attractive pale olive brown in color on both sides. Obverse and reverse surfaces granu- lar in appearance but not disturbingly so. Obverse slightly off to the left; reverse about perfectly placed. Both sides seem to be well struck for this variety. Outstanding for type, finer than both the Zelinka-Taylor and Norweb coins. Some old scratches both sides.

Ex Tom Elder’s 169th Sale (February 12, 1920, lot 233); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 22

Lot No. 23

22 1760 Voce Populi Halfpenny. P Below Bust. Choice Extremely Fine, if not slightly finer. Z.14-L, N.ll. 121.9 gns. 27.6

mm. A nice example, far better than the Zelinka-Taylor coin and a rival to the outstanding Norweb coin bought by an astute NJ collector. Dark olive brown in color on both sides. Obverse and reverse surfaces rough and somewhat granular, but not dis- turbingly so. Very sharp, with considerable detail visible in the centers on both sides. Obverse slightly off to the left, ‘P’ below bust partially off the flan; reverse slightly off to the upper left, date numerals run to or off the edge. One is known with an en- grailed edge.

Ex George H. Earle Collection (Henry Chapman, June 25, 1912, lot 1984); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

23 1760 Voce Populi Halfpenny. P Below Bust. Choice Very Fine. Z.14-M, N.13. 143.2 gns. 27.0 mm. Nice light olive green

and brown in color. Obverse and reverse surfaces just microgranular. Both sides fairly well centered. Planchet cutter clip on the obverse at about 6:00. Lightly scratched around the rims on both sides.

Ex George H. Earle Collection (Henry Chapman, June 25, 1912, lot 1983); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

— 17 —

1760 VOCE POPULI COPPERS

AN EXCELLENT VOCE POPULI TYPE COIN

( Enlarged ) Lot No. 24 (Enlarged)

24 1760 Voce Populi Halfpenny. P Before Face. About Uncirculated. Z.15-N, N.12. 161.3 gns. 28.4 mm. Light

golden brown in color on both sides. Obverse and reverse surfaces microgranular, not disturbingly so. Well struck in the centers with some detail visible in the leaves of the wreath on the obverse and even on portions of Hibernia’s face on the reverse. Nearly perfectly centered on both sides, the obverse with a near complete border of denticles, the reverse just slightly tight at the upper right. Fully on the flan. Excellent quality for type, nicer to this cataloger’s eye than the Zelinka-Taylor coin and the three specimens in the Norweb sale. (SEE COLOR PLATE)

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 25

25 1760 Voce Populi Halfpenny. P Before Face. Very Fine. Z.15-N, N.12. 143.2 gns. 28.2 mm. A second. Light and darker

brown combination particularly on the obverse. Both surfaces lightly granular, the reverse particularly. Obverse flawed at top, some scratches visible. Obverse well centered, just a little tight at the upper right; reverse much tighter at upper right, ‘NIA’ in legend nearly fully off the flan.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

RARE P BELOW BUST HALFPENNY One of the Nicest Seen

Lot No. 26

26 1760 Voce Populi Halfpenny. P Below Bust. Choice Extremely Fine. Z.16-0, N.14. Scarce. 117.1 gns. 27.6 mm. A

lovely example, one of the nicest seen. Very pleasing pale golden brown in color on both sides. Obverse and reverse surfaces just microgranular in appearance, a few patches of roughness confined principally to the rims. Fairly well struck in the centers although the striking pressure seems to have been too soft to allow for full metal into the dies. Obverse a little off center to the top but all letters in the legend on this side are fully on the flan; reverse a little tight to the left, tops of I IIBER run to or just off the edge, bases of date numerals also, last digit nearly fully gone. Finer than Nor- web:3421 and both I ay lor coins (lots 2041, the Zelinka plate coin, and 2042). Struck on either a cast or very poorly pre- pared rolled flan.

Ex llillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd

18 —

1787 AUCT0R1 PLEBIS COPPERS

1787 AUCTORI PLEBIS COPPERS

There is no real evidence other than anecdotal or stylistic that these were struck for American circulation or ever circu- lated here. The fact that the obverse type is a copy of a 1787 draped bust Connecticut copper and the legend AUCTORI PLEBIS resembles the Connecticut’s AUCTORI CONNEC is all that has given them a place in early American numismat- ics. Tom Elder was fond of telling auction audiences that he found Auctori Plebis tokens in circulation in Pennsylvania when he was a boy but it is hard to know what to make of such a story.

According to Crosby, who considered them to be English merchant’s tokens, the earliest reference to the Auctori Plebis token is found in a 1796 English numismatic publication, The Virtuoso’s Companion. Published at the height of the Con- der token collecting craze in England, this seems to suggest the Auctori Plebis tokens were collectibles along with Kemp- son’s and Spence’s series although the author does call the piece American (what other country of the time was ruled by the authority of the people?). The best that can be said of these is that they are one of the “orphans” of early American numismatics, like the Georgius Triumpho, which look like they should have circulated here but for which there is no sure direction home.

There is one regular die pair. The reverse broke early in its life and almost all known specimens show a break arching over Britannia’s head. The obverse was cut very shallowly in the die and struck pieces are almost always soft on the front.

There is a series of related pieces that advanced collectors like to include. These feature different style obverse busts and different reverse legends and dates and are generally quite rare. The whole series was described and numbered by the cataloguer in the Norweb II (1988) sale.

SUPERB AUCTORI PLEBIS TYPE COIN

Lot No. 27

27 1787 Auctori Plebis Copper. Standard type. Choice About Uncirculated. Hodder 1. Breen 1147. 112.3 gns.

27.3 mm. Superb type quality, far finer than both Norweb coins. Light brown in color on both sides. Obverse and re- verse surfaces just microgranular but not disturbingly so. Obverse slightly tight, the obverse to the upper right, the re- verse around the top and right, bases of the date numerals off the flan. There are traces of very faded mint color visible in places around ‘CTOR’ on the obverse. Overall, this is a superb example of this issue. Usual reverse die break.

Ex “Chapman, ” Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

— 19 —

1787 AUCTORI PLEBIS COPPERS

Lot No. 28

28 1787 Auctori Plebis Copper. Standard type. Choice Extremely Fine. H.l. Br.1147. 114.0 gns. 27.1 mm. A second. Both

sides are toned in a nice, rich olive brown color. The obverse and reverse surfaces are smooth and hard to the naked eye, show just microgranularity under magnification. Typically centered, the obverse near perfect, the reverse tight at the top, bases of date numerals off the flan. Earlier reverse date than usually seen, the arching break from Britannia’s head to the globe here is visible but is faint. Nicer than either of the Norweb coins. Earlier reverse die state than the preceding’s.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 29

29 1787 Auctori Plebis Copper. Standard type. Choice Very Fine. H.l. Br.1147. 109.3 gns. 26.9 mm. A third. Pale brown in

color on both sides. Obverse and reverse surfaces somewhat rougher than usually seen on these. Typical centering problem on the reverse, as already noted. Struck from a much later state of the reverse, the arching break here very thick and bold.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 30

30 173366 Auctori Plebis Copper. Hispaniola type. Choice Very Fine. Rare. H.3. Br. 1148. 98.4 gns. 26.9 mm. Both sides are

toned a rich deep brown. Obverse and reverse surfaces microgranular to the naked eye. Reverse sharpness quite indistinct as usual and as Ryder noted on his collector’s ticket included with this lot, “Light impression as all are. Rare.” There are one or two very tiny rim tics noted on both sides. Much nicer than the Norweb:2449 example, not quite up to the specimens in Rosa Americana 10 and 13. This reverse type is mentioned by Crosby on p.343.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 31

31 Undated Auctori Plebis Copper. Uniface type. Very Fine. Rare. H.6. Br.l 152. 101.6 gns. 26.9 mm. Struck on the obverse only. Both sides are dark olive brown, nearly gray-brown in color. The obverse surface is microgranular everywhere, a little rough at the left; the unstruck reverse is granular, lightly pitted in the center. The softness in the obverse strike is fairly typical for this variety. Nicer than both Norweh:2448 and Garrett:1514. This uniface type is also mentioned in Crosby on p.343.

Ex Henry Chapman on March I, 1901: Hiller Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

- 20 —

1760 VOCE POPULI HALFPENNY

CHOICE 1783 NOVA CONSTELLATIO

OUTSTANDING 1785 NOVA CONSTELLATIO

this plate are shown enlarged.

— 21 —

NOVA CONSTELLATIO COPPERS

THE 1783, 1785 and 1786 NOVA CONSTELLATIO COPPERS

There are two schools of thought about the origin of the Nova Constellatio copper coinage. Relying on a partial tran- script of a British newspaper notice he found in Charles Bushnell’s manuscript notes about colonials, Sylvester Crosby wrote in 1875 that these were made in Birmingham, England using dies engraved by one of the Wyons. Crosby’s state- ment of origin was adopted by almost every other writer on colonials and it is the common wisdom today. A tiny handful of numismatists have questioned the credibility of Crosby’s creation story, pointing out that its elements are either histor- ically wrong at worst or unsupported by documentary or numismatic fact at best. The cataloguer has been the principal (and near solitary) modern contrarian. Mr. Ford clipped and filed away the following commentary penned by a better nu- mismatist than most, whose opinion is the more worthy of consideration for the infrequency with which it is expressed.

Preparing to describe the Large Cents for the catalog of the April 22, 1904 New York Coin and Stamp Company’s auc- tion, David Proskey wrote “In placing the ‘Nova Constellatio’ Cents at the head of the series, I do so after a thorough ex- amination and weighing of the supposed evidence of Mr. Bushnell as quoted by Mr. Crosby. No English die work bears any resemblance to anything found on these Cents. British public sentiment in 1783 would not have tolerated the assis- tance in supplying a good currency to the successful Revolutionists. The work, lettering, figures and coinage all bear evi- dence of their American origin, as well as Governmental supervision, even if they were produced by contract, as were the ‘Fugios’. Their similarity to the coins designed and projected by Robt. Morris, of this date, would certainly make it impos- sible for a foreign producer to fill a large order and deliver it by the snail-like processes then in vogue and have designs so uniform in style with the private coiners of America, as shown by other well-known experimental coins. These surely are to be known as the first United States coins.”

Whatever the true origins of the coinage, whether struck in Philadelphia in Robert Morris’ Mint of North America or in a Birmingham shop by a random Wyon, the Nova Constellatio coppers have been extremely popular coins with collectors of colonials by type. There are more than enough to go around for that purpose. By contrast, there are far fewer variety collectors of Novas at present but that has been changing and the movement should accelerate now that the Ford Collec- tion has been published.

Until now, the standard attribution guide to the series was in Crosby’s 1875 Early Coins of America and while that book listed the varieties, it did not plate them all. In 1995 Rod Widok and Tony Carlotto collaborated on a photographic plate that showed each regular variety (including the 1786) enlarged and had a handy attribution guide printed on the back. Eight years later, Widok published lists of auction appearances of Novas by variety that helped establish a rough sense of what was out there and how they graded. These guides v/ere published in limited quantities and were distributed to those who knew to ask for them, so they have had little impact outside the established colonial collecting fraternity. The cataloguer has benefitted considerably from Rod’s study and he hopes that the wide appeal of the Ford catalogues will help bring Rod’s contribution before a larger audience and thereby inspire others to collect the earliest dated coinage that is engraved with ‘US’.

PLEASING CROSBY 1-A 1783 NOVA CONSTELLATIO

Lot No. 32

32 1783 Nova Constellatio. Pointed rays. Small US. CONSTELLATIO. Choice Extremely Fine to About Uncirculated.

Crosby 1-A. 139.6 gns. 28.2 mm. Both the obverse and reverse are deep brown in the fields, lighter brown with some very faded mint color visible in the protected areas. Both surfaces just microgranular and appear smooth and hard to the naked eye. Obverse slightly off center, reverse much better placed with even the date numerals on the flan. Typical ob- verse state, this die had clashed severely and there are raised denticles visible below ‘ATIO’. (SEE COLOR PLATE)

Ex F.S. Werner on May 2, 1974.

22 —

NOVA CONSTELLATIO COPPERS

Lot No. 33

33 1783 Nova Constellatio. Pointed rays. Small US. CONSTELLATIO. Choice Very Fine. Cr.l-A. 126.6 gns. 28.3 mm. A

second. Pale olive brown and gold in color on both sides. Obverse and reverse surfaces microgranular, the latter a bit rougher in appearance. Centering on both sides just about as seen on the piece in the preceding lot. A few minor obverse and reverse rim tics are noted.

Ex Sampson Collection (Tom Elder. May 13, 1932, lot number unrecorded); F.C.C. Boyd.

CHOICE Cr.2-B 1783 NOVA One of the Finest Seen

(Enlarged) Lot No. 34 (Enlarged)

34 1783 Nova Constellatio. Pointed rays. Small US. CONSTELLATIO. Choice Uncirculated. Cr.2-B. 138.7 gns.

27.8 mm. A lovely example and one of the finest seen. In fact, graded higher than every example listed by Rod Widok in April, 2003 save one. Both the obverse and reverse are toned in a pale golden brown shade. There are traces of faded mint color in the protected areas on both sides, particularly in the centers and on the reverse around the letters and date nu- merals. The surfaces appear microgranular to the naked eye but not disturbingly so. Very sharply struck, the All-Seeing Eye in the center of the obverse bold, the wreath on the reverse showing some internal detail. (SEE COLOR PLATE)

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd; earlier, possibly ex Dr. Hall’s collection.

ANOTHER CHOICE Cr.2-B 1783 NOVA

(Enlarged) Lot No. 35 ( Enlarged )

35 1783 Nova Constellatio. Pointed rays. Small US. CONSTELLATIO. Choice Uncirculated. Cr.2-B. 136.1 gns.

27.0 mm. A second. One of the finest seen and like the last, graded higher than all but one of the specimens listed by Rod Widok in April, 2003. Both the obverse and reverse of this piece are toned a pale olive brown shade. The surfaces ap- pear smooth and hard to the naked eye, show some microgranularity under magnification. Very nicely centered and sharply struck on both sides. An attractive example. (SEE COLOR PLATE)

Ex Lyman Low’s sale of January 21, 1908, lot 283; Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

— 23 —

NOVA CONSTELLATIO COPPERS

Lot No. 36

36 1783 Nova Constellatio. Pointed rays. Small US. CONSTELLATIO. Uncirculated. Cr.2-B. 119.6 gns. 27.4 mm. A

third, superior specimen, nicer than the Roper coin and nearly every other one seen in the past ten years. Very pleasing light gold and ruddy brown on the obverse, light olive green on the reverse. Obverse and reverse surfaces smooth, hard, and with some light gloss. About perfectly centered on both sides. Obverse center soft, All-Seeing Eye somewhat indistinct, center of the reverse a trifle weak.

Ex James T. Callender Collection (Lyman Low, December 21, 1898, lot number unrecorded); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 37

37 1783 Nova Constellatio. Blunt rays. Small US. CONSTELATIO. About Uncirculated. Cr.3-C. 113.1 gns. 27.3 mm. One of

the better ones sold in recent years. Very nice light ruddy brown obverse, golden brown reverse. Obverse surface appears a trifle rough to the naked eye, reverse much smoother and harder. Both sides near perfectly centered, the reverse just a little tight at the left.

Ex Lorin G. Parmelee Collection (New York Coin & Stamp Co., June 26, 1890, first of two in lot 586); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 38

38 1783 Nova Constellatio. Blunt rays. Small US. CONSTELATIO. About Uncirculated. Cr.3-C. 137.3 gns. 27.2 mm. An-

other superior example of this variety. Deep olive brown in color, a shade fairly typical for the Nova series. Both the obverse and reverse surfaces appear smooth, hard, and porosity free. About perfectly centered on both sides and with a sharp and pleas- ing strike.

Ex Lorin G. Parmelee Collection (New York Coin & Stamp Co., June 26, 1890, second of two in lot 586); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 39

39 1785 Nova Constellatio. Blunt rays. Large US. CONSTELATIO. About Uncirculated. Cr.l-B. 121.1 gns. 27.6 mm. One of

the best ol these seen in the past ten years. Both sides are pale golden brown in color. The obverse surfaces appear smooth and hard to the naked eye, the reverse is a little rougher in the center. About perfectly centered on both sides. hx Lorin G Parmelee Collection I New York Com & Slump Co.. June 26. 1890. lot 588); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

- 24

NOVA CONSTELLATIO COPPERS

Lot No. 40

40 1785 Nova Constellatio. Blunt rays. Large US. CONSTELATIO. Choice Extremely Fine. Cr.l-B. 116.3 gns. 28.3 mm. A

second. Both sides of this piece are toned in a pleasing olive brown shade, the color on the reverse a little darker. The obverse surfaces appear smooth and hard to the naked eye, the center of the reverse rougher as usually seen on this combination. Well centered on both sides.

Ex Henry Chapman in February 1925; Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 41 Lot No. 42

41 1785 Nova Constellatio. Pointed rays. Large US. CONSTELLATIO. Choice About Uncirculated. Cr.2-A. 123.9 gns.

27.7 mm. One of the best known of the variety, nicer than Garrett:616 for example. Centers soft as usual. Both the obverse and reverse are a rich brown with traces of faded mint color in the protected areas. The fields are smooth, hard, and porosity free. The centers are a little rougher particularly on the obverse where the die did not strike up fully (due to the reverse failure in the center). Both sides are about perfectly centered. A very pleasing example.

Ex Hiller Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

42 1785 Nova Constellatio. Pointed rays. Large US. CONSTELLATIO. Choice Extremely Fine. Cr.2-A. 111.7 gns. 28.0 mm.

A high grade for one of these. A second example and in about the same die states as the preceding. This piece is toned pale golden brown on both sides. The surfaces are a little rougher than those on the preceding but the granularity is still microscopic and is really not disturbing. Struck from the failing reverse with pronounced swelling visible in the center on this side. One or two minor rim disturbances are noted. Centers soft as usual.

Ex S.H. Chapman on April 6, 1926; Hiller Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 43 Lot No. 44

43 1785 Nova Constellatio. Pointed rays. Large US. CONSTELLATIO. Choice Very Fine. Cr.2-A. 122.2 gns. 27.7 mm. A

third. Dark gray-brown in the fields, a little lighter on the high points. Obverse and reverse surfaces granular in appearance. Centers soft, as usual on this combination. Fully struck in the centers.

Ex George H. Earle Collection (Henry Chapman, June 25, 1912, lot 2152); Hiller Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

44 1785 Nova Constellatio. Pointed rays. Large US. CONSTELLATIO. Nearly Very Fine. Cr.2-A. 113.1 gns. 27.1 mm. A

fourth. This piece is dark brown with granular surfaces, particularly those on the reverse. A couple of minor rim disturbances are noted. Centers soft as usual.

Ex W.B. Guy Collection ( Henry Chapman, November 3, 1911, lot 318); Hiller Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

— 25 —

NOVA CONSTELLATIO COPPERS

Lot No. 45

45 1785 Nova Constellatio. Pointed rays. Large US. CONSTELLATIO. Uncirculated. Cr.3-B. 120.5 gns. 27.2 mm. Very

nice light golden tan in color on both sides. The fields are smooth, hard, and largely porosity free despite the advanced states of the dies. The centers are much sharper than usually seen on these with some detail visible even in the all-seeing eye in the cen- ter of the obverse. A couple of rim tics and a dent above ‘AT’ on the obverse are noted. More sharply struck in the centers than usually seen. This is one of the few varieties that comes Unc. with some frequency.

Ex U.S. Coin and Stamp Company on September 28, 1912 ; Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 46

46 1785 Nova Constellatio. Pointed rays. Large US. CONSTELLATIO. Uncirculated. Cr.3-B. 111.6 gns. 27.8 mm. A sec-

ond. Rich and pleasing olive brown in color on both sides. The surfaces are smooth, hard, and largely porosity free, those on the obverse being quite glossy in appearance. Well struck in the centers and well centered on both sides. A couple of minor rim tics are noted.

Ex Tom Elder’s 197th Sale (October 9, 1924, lot 2087); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 47

47 1785 Nova Constellatio. Pointed rays. Large US. CONSTELLATIO. Uncirculated. Cr.3-B. 107.7 gns. 26.4 mm. A

third. Light ruddy brown in color on both sides. Obverse surfaces smooth, hard, porosity free; reverse rougher, pitted in places, granular elsewhere. Very sharply struck in the centers, particularly on the reverse. Well centered on both sides. Struck on a small and constricted flan. Very early state of the reverse break.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 48

48 1785 Nova Constellatio. Pointed rays. Large US. CONSTELLATIO. Choice About Uncirculated. Cr.3-B. 109.1 gns.

26.6 mm. A fourth. Both the obverse and reverse are toned in a dark brown shade with traces of very faded mint color visible particularly on the former, fairly sharp in the centers due principally to the fairly early state of the reverse failure. Off center on both sides towards the bottom on each with portions of the legends running off the flan on each side. Early reverse state, the break in the wreat h above the date is just beginning to show. Noted by Ryder on his ticket that accompanies the lot “Not evenly centered.”

Ex S II & II Chapman. May I. 1902, lot number unrecorded; Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

- 26 —

NOVA CONSTELLATIO COPPERS

Lot No. 49 Lot No. 50

49 1785 Nova Constellatio. Pointed rays. Large US. CONSTELLATIO. Extremely Fine. Cr.3-B. 109.7 gns. 26.5 mm. A

fifth. Both the obverse and reverse of this piece are toned in a light golden brown shade. The surfaces appear smooth and hard on the obverse, most everywhere on the reverse save for the center where the die was crumbling. Obverse sharp in the center, reverse a little weak on the high point due to the advanced die state. Both sides about perfectly centered, but tight on the flan at the top of the obverse and on the left side of the reverse. Broken reverse state.

Ex Tom Elder's 169th Sale (February 12, 1920. lot 490); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

50 1785 Nova Constellatio. Pointed rays. Large US. CONSTELLATIO. Very Fine. Cr.3-B. 112.4 gns. 26.8 mm. A sixth.

Deep olive brown in color on both sides. Obverse and reverse surfaces appear smooth and hard to the unaided eye, center of the latter a little rough due to its moderately advanced die state. Center of obverse quite soft, All-Seeing Eye nearly indistinct due to the failure in the center of the reverse. Both sides a little tight on the flan, at the bottom on the obverse and top on the re- verse. Fairly early reverse state, the break starting to show.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

A PAIR OF SUPERIOR Cr.4-C 1785 NOVA CONSTELLATIOS

Lot. No. 51

51 1785 Nova Constellatio. Pointed rays. Large US. CONSTELLATIO. About Uncirculated. Cr.4-C. 112.7 gns.

28.2 mm. A superior specimen for a variety that does not come Unc. This piece exceeds any listed by Widok and is the finest seen by the cataloguer. The obverse is toned in a pale golden brown shade, while the reverse is darker. The fields on both sides appear smooth and hard to the unaided eye. Well centered, with all design details on the flan save for the denticles on each side. Centers quite sharp and the piece overall is quite pleasing, particularly for a variety that just does not seem to come in Uncirculated condition.

Ex John G. Mills Collection (S.H. & H. Chapman, April 27, 1904, lot 118); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 52

52 1785 Nova Constellatio. Pointed rays. Large US. CONSTELLATIO. About Uncirculated. Cr.4-C. 116.7 gns.

28.1 mm. Another exceptionally high grade example of this variety. Light golden brown in color on both sides. Obverse and reverse surfaces a little rough particularly on the former. Obverse soft at the bottom, striations there as made; re- verse a little more sharply struck, the softness visible only at the upper left. Obverse nearly perfectly centered, reverse a little off to the lower left. Small rim tic on the reverse above ‘BE’.

Ex Tom Elder’s 197th Sale (October 9, 1924, lot 2090); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

— 27 —

NOVA CONSTELLATIO COPPERS

A PAIR OF HIGH GRADE Cr. 4-D 1785 NOVA CONSTELLATIOS

Lot No. 53

53 1785 Nova Constellatio. Pointed rays. Large US. CONSTELLATIO. Extremely Fine to About Uncirculated. Cr.4-

D. 120.9 gns. 26.9 mm. Better than most others seen. Dark olive brown on both sides, a color fairly typical for these. Ob- verse and reverse surfaces microgranular in appearance, some roughness in places around the obverse. Sharpness about as expected from the variety. Well centered on both sides, letters at the top of the obverse very close to the rim.

Ex a Mr. Brown on April 23, 1919 ; Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 54

54 1785 Nova Constellatio. Pointed rays. Large US. CONSTELLATIO. Extremely Fine. Cr.4-D. 126.4 gns. 27.0 mm.

A second. Olive brown obverse, lighter olive tan reverse. Both surfaces appear rough due principally to the advanced states of these dies. Well centered, with sharpness about as expected from one of these.

Ex George M. Parsons Collection (Henry Chapman, June 24, 1914, lot 339); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd; earlier, possibly ex Dr. Thomas Hall col- lection.

INTERESTING Cr.4-D 1785 NOVA

Ryder: “This piece slipped through the sale without its rarity being discovered.”

Lot No. 55

55 1785 Nova Constellatio. Pointed rays. Large US. CONSTELLATIO. Very Fine. Cr.4-D. 124.8 gns. 27.1 mm. A

third. Both sides are toned in a medium olive brown. The obverse surface is quite rough in appearance while the reverse seems smoother in the center with the roughness confined principally to the periphery. Good central sharpness, despite the states of the dies. Both sides nicely centered. Rated a full R-6 by Crosby. Not as sharp as Garrett’s. Missing from the Roper sale. Norweb’s was both outstanding and unappreciated. Noted by Ryder on his ticket that accompanies the lot I his piece slipped through the sale without its rarity being discovered.”

Ex Tom Elder’s 9th Sale (February 20, 1907, lot 535); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

— 28

NOVA CONSTELLATIO COPPERS

OUTSTANDING Cr.5-E 1785 NOVA

Lot No. 56

56 1785 Nova Constellatio. Pointed rays. Large US. CONSTELLATIO. Uncirculated. Cr.5-E. 111.4 gns. 28.4 mm.

Among the finest known and actually graded higher than any listed by Widok as of April, 2003. Both the obverse and reverse surfaces appear smooth, hard, essentially porosity free and somewhat glossy. The piece is toned a remarkable combination of pale brown and iridescent gold characterized as “steel color” by Ryder when he bought the piece in 1905. Very sharply struck in the centers with near full detail visible there and some showing in the leaves of the reverse wreath. Both sides about perfectly centered, the obverse a little tight at the top but only the denticles are missing there (as they are along the right edge of the reverse). A really remarkable piece. (SEE COLOR PLATE)

Ex S.H. & H. Chapman, June 7, 1905; Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 57

57 1785 Nova Constellatio. Pointed rays. Large US. CONSTELLATIO. About Uncirculated. Cr.5-E. 98.0 gns. 28.1 mm.

Another outstanding example of a variety that is tough to find even in Extremely Fine grade. Both sides are light brown in color. The surfaces appear smooth and hard to the unaided eye. The centers are fairly sharp with most of the detail showing. Obverse slightly off center to the upper left, tops of ‘CONS’ run to or off the flan; reverse much better centered, just a little tight at the lower left.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 58

58 1785 Nova Constellatio. Pointed rays. Large US. CONSTELLATIO. Choice Extremely Fine. Cr.5-E. 116.3 gns. 28.0 mm.

A third. Superior grade for the variety. Both sides are a light ruddy brown in color. The obverse surfaces appear smooth and hard to the unaided eye while the reverse is rougher, mostly around the periphery. Fairly well struck given the grade and better centered than the preceding. A couple of light rim bumps are noted.

John G. Mills Collection (S.H. & H. Chapman, April 27, 1904, lot 119); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

— 29 —

RARE 1786 NOVA CONSTELLATIO

The coin <m this plate it nhown enlarged.

— 30 —

OVA CONSTELLATIO COPPERS

REMARKABLE AND RARE 1786 NOVA CONSTELLATIO Finer Than Most Others Seen

Lot No. 59

59 1786 Nova Constellatio. Pointed rays. Small US. CONSTELLATIO. Very Fine in terms of circulation wear, if not

a tad finer. Rare. Cr.l-A. 126.6 gns. 28.7 mm. Obverse a variegated combination of light and dark brown, reverse a more even brown in color. Surfaces rough, as expected, the obverse’s particularly so. Obverse very soft in the center but the All-Seeing Eye can mostly be made out in an angled light. Elsewhere on that side the legend and most of the rays of the Glory are visible. The reverse is much sharper than the other side, as usual. There is light softness in the center and at the upper right but the ‘US’ can be seen and ‘ET J’ are just a little weak but still legible. Planchet flaw at reverse rim below T7\ many shallow and old obverse scratches. Finer than all but two others seen, exceeded in the cataloguer’s opinion only by the incredible ANS coin and the first Garrett piece (called “Fine” but much better than that). Otherwise nicer than Norweb’s and Garrett’s second, the Crosby-Roper coin, and every other one seen sold in the past 20 years. Rare: the cataloguer has records of 15 and knows of four others. (SEE COLOR PLATE)

Ex William Hesslein on March 12, 1920; Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

A SECOND RARE 1786 NOVA CONSTELLATIO

Lot No. 60

60 1786 Nova Constellatio. Pointed rays. Small US. CONSTELLATIO. Very Good. Rare. Cr.l-A. 104.0 gns. 26.3

mm. A second. Dark green-black in color on both sides. Both surfaces rough and granular in appearance. Very indistinct on both sides as expected from this rarity. On the obverse some of the rays and the All-Seeing Eye in the center can just about be made out while the legend can be read under an angled light with only ‘LLA’ really too indistinct to be seen. On the reverse the date is full, LIBERTAS is legible, other letters in the legend on this side are faint or illegible, US can be just barely made out, while the wreath is mostly complete. Two horizontal clips flanking either side of the reverse, remi- niscent of the large planchet Massachusetts Pine Tree silver shillings. Die states uncertain due to the surface condition. Catalogued by Elder as “This one is equal to the one on Crosby’s plate. He states only two are known, one belonging to Mr. Appleton, the other to Mr. Bushnell. As Mr. Appleton’s is removed from the market [donated to the MHS], Mr. Bush- nell’s and this are the only others known. Should bring a high price. Nearly unique.” Rare: as noted, the cataloguer sug- gests there are about 20 of these surviving.

Ex Tom Elder’s 138th Sale (November 23, 1916, lot 1162); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

— 31 —

1787 & 1788 MASSACHUSETTS CENTS AND HALF CENTS

For its size, historical importance, overall quality and pedigree history John Ford’s collection of Massachusetts coppers is the most important ever sold. In recent memory there have been several noteworthy collections of the series offered for sale, prominent among them being Garrett’s, Taylor’s, and Norweb’s. None can compare to the present offering, however.

There are an amazing 98 coppers in the Ford Collection, making this the largest sale of the series in numismatic history. Duplicates in the collection offer more than one collector the chance to obtain particular varieties from this famous collection. The collection includes 39 of the 50 known varieties. There are eight of the nine known 1787 Half Cent varieties, both of the two known 1788 Half Cent ones, 10 of the 14 1787 Cent varieties and 19 of the 25 1788 Cents.

The collection, including all the duplicates, was put together by Hillyer Ryder, author of the still standard cata- logue of the series. Fred Boyd, who bought Ryder’s collection from Wayte Raymond in 1948, added one coin, the extremely rare 1787 Ryder 1-B Aged Indian Cent (and possibly a decent looking R.l-D 1788 Cent). John Ford added only one coin after he bought the collection from Boyd’s estate but what a coin it was, the finest 1787 Trans- posed Arrows Cent any of us are ever likely to see.

Since this was originally Ryder’s collection it represents, as it were, a frozen slice of time, the state of the series as it was known in 1920 when Ryder published his catalogue. This explains why the collection does not include all 50 known varieties for, just as we saw in the case of the Ryder-Boyd-Ford Vermonts sold last year, the Ryder-Boyd- Ford Massachusetts coppers collection includes only varieties that Ryder knew about. The 1787 Ryder 4-D Half Cent variety was unknown to Ryder, was not included in his book, and so is not to be found herein. Likewise, the 1787 R.2-G, R.4-J, and R.8-G Cents and the 1788 R.12-0, R.13-I, R.13-P, R.16-M, and R.17-I Cents are also not represented here. There are three exceptions and advanced collectors will already have noticed them. Ryder knew about the 1787 R.5-I and 1788 R.12-H Cent varieties but they are not included here. In 1920 both were extremely rare (they’re still very rare) and the cataloguer suspects Ryder could not find either one to buy. They were rare enough, in fact, that Ryder could not even find one to photograph for his catalogue. On the other hand, Ryder did not list the 1788 15-M Cent in 1920 but there are two specimens in the collection. Presumably he found them after 1920.

The quality of the collection is superb. Of the 98 coins, 40 can be securely placed in the Condition Census (2004 update) for their varieties. The cataloguer has described six of these as the finest seen, including the 1787 R.7-H and 1788 R.3-E, R.7-M, R.9-M, R.12-K, and R.12-M Cents. The magnificent 1787 R.2a-F Transposed Arrows Cent is either the finest known or is tied with one other that no one but its owner has seen since 1975. Ryder plated 14 varieties either by the obverse/reverse combination or by picturing one or the other of the two dies. Fully 12 of the 14 Ryder plate coins are included among the lots to follow.

Luckily for beginning and intermediate collectors most Massachusetts Half Cents and Cents are not rare. The more advanced one becomes in the series the tougher collecting becomes and there are some stumbling blocks in the series that may make it impossible for anyone to put together a complete 50 variety collection. The Ford Col- lection contains seven varieties ranked in the Rarity-7 range and eight ranked in the Rarity-6 range.

Most of the coins in the collection can be pedigreed to some of the greatest numismatic auction sales of the past century and beyond. The list of prior owners includes such names as Henry C. Miller, George M. Parsons, George H. Earle, John G. Mills, Matthew Adams Stickney, and H.G. Smith. To these must be added the names of Hillyer Ryder, Fred Boyd, and John Ford.

Sylvester Crosby classified the Massachusetts coppers by obverse and reverse die in 1875 in his Early Coins of America and published a wealth of documentation about the minting history of the series. Crosby’s system was adopted by Hillyer Ryder for his catalogue published in 1920 by the ANS as part of The State Coinages of New England. Ryder’s catalogue included only one plate, however, making easy attribution impossible in a series that differs one die to another sometimes only by a millimeter’s breadth between design elements. Recognizing the dif- ficulty, in 1962 Phil Greco privately distributed a set of plates of all known dies and showing the known marriages among them. Accompanying Greco’s plates was his own analysis of the coinage, its rarities and its minting history. Greco’s plates allowed for a renaissance in collecting this popular, but difficult, series.

In 1990, specialist Mike Packard published in Penny Wise the results of his survey of 50 collections and re- sponses from owners of Massachusetts coppers. This allowed Mike to construct rarity and condition census ratings that were based on real observations and not memory or conjecture. Two years later, Phil Mossman published his Money of the American Colonies and Confederation, which included a good summation of the Massachusetts coinage history and his estimates of the numbers struck by denomination. In 1997, Packard updated his earlier rarity and condition census ratings in the C4 Journal. The cataloguer has benefitted from all the foregoing, as well as an update received privately from Mike Packard dated April, 2004.

Massachusetts was the only state that struck its own copper coinage during the 1783-1789 Confederation period. Connecticut, New Jersey, and Vermont authorized private contractors to strike coppers in their names. Massachu- setts established, stocked, manned, and operated its own mint as a state organ. This is an important distinction that Massachusetts shares with no other state. As a state function, charged with disbursing public money and ex- ercising the care consequent to that authority, the Massachusetts Mint maintained extensive records accounting for funds received and disbursements made and much of this still survives. This is unique in the Confederation pe- riod. Crosbv published much of the documentation necessary for a solid history of the state’s coinage operations and his 1875 work is the starting place. The cataloguer suggests that it is time a new, thorough study of the Mass- achusetts copper coinage be undertaken and lie hopes that the sale of the Ford Collection of Massachusetts coppers will he the stimulus.

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1787 MASSACHUSETTS HALF CENTS AND CENTS

Lot No. 71

Lot No. 69

Lot No. 72

Lot No. 82

Lot No. 85

Lot No. 104

Lot No. 94

Lot No. 106

Lot No. 107

All coins on this plate are shown enlarged.

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1788 MASSACHUSETTS HALF CENT AND CENTS

Lot No. 109

Lot No. 131

Lot No. 135

Lot No. 145

Lot No.

Lot No. 148

Lot No. 147

Lot No. 152

Lot No. 156

coiriH on thin plate arc shown enlarged.

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787 MASSACHUSETTS HALF CENTS

1787 HALF CENTS

CHOICE R.l-D 1787 HALF CENT

(Enlarged) Lot No. 61 (Enlarged)

61 1787 Half Cent. R.l-D. Choice Uncirculated, red and brown. Rarity-4. 75.9 gns. Condition Census and possibly

high therein. The obverse and reverse are both a deep rich brown in the center with considerable faded mint color in the form of pale pink-brown in the peripheries. The surfaces are clean, smooth, hard, and show some light reflectivity. Cen- ters somewhat soft, particularly on the obverse, the area below the Indian’s waist indistinct as often seen. Struck from the failing state of the obverse, several light, linear cuds formed in the lower right obverse field. (SEE COLOR PLATE)

Ex Henry C. Miller Collection (Tom Elder, May 28, 1920, lot 1550); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 62 Lot No. 63

62 1787 Half Cent. R.l-D. Extremely Fine. Rarity-4. 77.3 gns. A second. This piece is richly toned in a deep pleasing olive brown.

The fields are fairly smooth and hard with just a few stray marks suggesting light handling. Struck from a slightly earlier state of the obverse die than the piece in the preceding lot.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

63 1787 Half Cent. R.l-D. Very Fine. Rarity-4. 70.8 gns. A third. This piece is toned in a lighter golden brown shade than the one

in the preceding lot. Several marks, slight nicks and digs on the obverse, centers quite soft particularly on the obverse where there is a considerable portion entirely unstruck.

Ex Tom Elder’s sale of December 16, 1910, lot 854; Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 64

64 1787 Half Cent. R.2-A. Uncirculated. Rarity-4. 74.4 gns. Condition Census for the variety. A lovely example. Both the ob-

verse and reverse are toned in a rich medium olive brown shade. The surfaces are clear, smooth and mostly hard to the naked eye. Centers somewhat soft as usual with this denomination, but HALF CENT is almost entirely legible on the reverse and most of the lines in the Indian’s tunic are clear and bold.

Ex Matthew Adams Stickney Collection (Henry Chapman, June 25, 1907, lot 119); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

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1787 MASSACHUSETTS HALF CENTS

Lot No. 65

65 1787 Half Cent. R.2-A. Choice Very Fine for sharpness. Rarity-4. 70.3 gns. Another. Brown centers, red and brown around

the peripheries, once cleaned. Very typical central softness on both sides, small stain at the lower left on the obverse.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 66

66 1787 Half Cent. R.3-A. Extremely Fine for technical grade, sharpness looks better. Low Rarity-5. 69.8 gns. Dark brown in

color with considerable old verdigris and traces of pitting and roughness on both sides, the obverse particularly. Struck on a somewhat oval shaped flan. Not entirely unattractive.

Ex Tom Elder's sale of February 25, 1909, lot 246 ; Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

RYDER PLATE R.3-A 1787 HALF CENT

Lot No. 67

67 1787 Half Cent. R.3-A. Choice Very Fine. Low Rarity-5. 72.9 gns. A second example, this the Ryder Plate Coin. Dark, olive

brown and lighter reddish-brown, once cleaned. Surfaces fairly smooth and hard, central softness fairly typical but sharper than expected for the grade.

Ex Lyman Low’s 167th Sale (April 26, 1912, lot 299); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd; Ryder’s ticket and Boyd’s envelope accompany this lot.

HIGH GRADE R.4-B 1787 HALF CENT

(Enlarged) Lot No. 68 ( Enlarged )

6K 1787 Half Cent. R.4-B. Choice Uncirculated. Rarity-5. 84.0 gns. Condition Census for the variety. A choice exam- ple of this issue. The obverse and reverse are both toned in a pale golden brown shade. There are traces of mint red color around some of the letters in ‘COMMON’ on the obverse and atop the ‘SETT’ on the reverse. The fields arc smooth, hard, and essentially porosity free. The centers are better struck than those on the piece in the next lot, with almost all ol the (olds in the Indian’s tunic clear and the letters in HALF CENT sharp and bold. Struck from the usually seen broken state of the obverse, a small break connecting the bottom tip of the bow to the Indian’s right ankle. (SEE COLOR PlJiTE)

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd

787 MASSACHUSETTS HALF CENTS

SECOND CHOICE R.4-B 1787 HALF CENT The Ryder Plate Coin

(Enlarged) Lot No. 69 ( Enlarged )

69 1787 Half Cent. R.4-B. Choice Uncirculated. Rarity-5. 74.2 gns. Condition Census for the variety. A second exam-

ple, this the Ryder Plate Coin. A really lovely, lustrous example. Both the obverse and reverse are lightly toned in a pale golden brown shade. There is a trace of medium purple-rose around the lower right and base of the obverse while the reverse shows traces of fading mint red color around the tops of the letters in the word MASSACHUSETTS. The fields are smooth, hard and essentially porosity free. The obverse and reverse centers are a little rough, as struck, but most of the detail there can be seen and the denomination HALF CENT is almost entirely legible. Obverse die state as the pre- ceding. (SEE COLOR PLATE)

Ex S.H. Chapman, March 24. 1915: Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 70

70 1787 Half Cent. R.4-B. Choice Very Fine. Rarity-5. 73.3 gns. A third. This piece is toned a rich golden brown on the obverse,

light olive brown on the reverse. The fields are mostly smooth and hard to the naked eye. Fairly decent central softness, most of the letters in HALF CENT are legible. Obverse die state as the preceding.

Ex Richard L. Ashhurst Collection (S.H. Chapman, May 27, 1908, lot 369): Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd; Ryder’s ticket and Boyd’s envelope accompany this lot.

GEM R.4-C 1787 HALF CENT

(Enlarged) Lot No. 71 ( Enlarged )

71 1787 Half Cent. R.4-C. Gem Uncirculated. Rarity-2. 71.0 gns. Condition Census for the variety. A gorgeous, fully

lustrous and bright example. Both sides are toned a rich light brown with interesting iridescent purple highlights in places on each. The fields are smooth, hard and porosity free save for the lower left reverse rim. The centers are fairly strong, with just minor roughness on the folds in the Indian’s tunic on the obverse and lightly so on the shield on the re- verse. There are faint hints of faded mint color, toned down to a light gold, wreathing portions of the obverse and reverse legends. < SEE COLOR PLATE)

Ex Lyman Low's 153rd Sale (October 22, 1910, lot 19); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd,

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1787 MASSACHUSETTS HALF CENTS

CHOICE R.4-C 1787 HALF CENT

( Enlarged ) Lot No. 72 (Enlarged)

72 1787 Half Cent. R.4-C. Choice Uncirculated red and brown, with definite claims to Gem status. Rarity-2. 85.7 gns.

A second. Essentially mark free. Lovely, nearly full red color on the reverse, about 45% red on the front. Elsewhere, a rich light brown with pleasing lustre cartwheels. Sharply struck in the centers on both sides, the vertical folds in the Indian’s tunic clear on the obverse and HALF CENT bold on the reverse. Slightly off center to the top of the obverse, base of the reverse, but with no significant effect. (SEE COLOR PLATE)

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 73

73 1787 Half Cent. R.4-C. Choice Uncirculated, if not slightly finer. Rarity-2. 81.4 gns. A third. The obverse is a rich olive

brown while the reverse is slightly lighter with traces of a slight pale rose undertone. The fields on both sides are clean, smooth and porosity free. The centers are nicely struck with a full denomination on the reverse and almost all of the folds in the In- dian’s tunic clear on the obverse. Slightly off center on the back but only the denticles at the base are affected and the date is crisp and fully on the flan. Obverse die state as the preceding’s.

Ex S.H. & H. Chapman, June 7, 1905, lot 34; Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd; Ryder’s ticket and Boyd’s envelope accompany this lot.

Lot No. 74

Lot No. 75

74 1787 Half Cent. R.5-A. Uncirculated. Rarity-3. 74.3 gns. A lovely example, toned in a rich olive brown shade on both sides.

The surfaces are smooth, hard, porosity free and proclaim the coin’s true grade. Centers soft and somewhat rough, particularly on the obverse, but most of HALF CENT can be read with a little imagination. Fairly well centered on both sides, slightly off but only the denticles on each are affected. Slight reverse rim burr above ‘T’.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

1L 1787 Half Cent. R-5-A. Uncirculated. Rarity-3. 73.3 gns. A second. Both sides are a nice, rich olive brown with some faint wood grain surface effect, particularly on the obverse. There are traces of very faded mint color in the center of the reverse. Obverse fields smooth, hard, basically porosity free; reverse a little rougher particularly at the lower left and right fields. Cen- ters soft particularly on the obverse below the Indian’s waist, all important reverse denomination HALF CENT fully legible however.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd

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CHOICE R.4-C 1787 MASSACHUSETTS HALF CENT

Lot No.

Lot No.

1787 MASSACHUSETTS CENT

HIGH GRADE R.3-G

Both coins on this plate are shown enlarged.

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1787 MASSACHUSETTS HALF CENTS

Lot No. 76 Lot No. 77

76 1787 Half Cent. R.5-A. Choice Extremely Fine. Rarity-3. 76.5 gns. A third. Dark olive brown in color on both sides. Surfaces

smooth, hard, mostly porosity free. Centers fairly well struck, the only weakness being that caused by circulation wear. Slightly off center on both sides particularly on the reverse but only the denticles at the very top on that side are affected. Short reverse scratch down from the rim between ‘US’ to eagle’s body below.

Ex Tom Elder, May 29, 1906; Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

IT 1787 Half Cent. R.5-A. Very Fine. Rarity-3. 66.6 gns. A fourth. Dark brown on both sides. Obverse surfaces dented in the cen- ter, rims ragged; reverse flawed, lightly scratched, dented in places.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 78 Lot No. 79

78 1787 Half Cent. R.6-A. Extremely Fine for technical grade. Low Rarity-6. 73.6 gns. Possible Condition Census for this

scarce variety but if so, low therein. Dark olive brown on both sides. Obverse surface scratched in many places; reverse lightly gouged at the lower right shield edge, base of branch, small nick above ‘E’ in the legend.

Ex Charles Steigerwalt, October 15, 1908; Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd; Ryder’s ticket annotated “combination unknown to Crosby. Very Fine. ”

79 1787 Half Cent. R.6-A. Choice Very Fine technical grade. Low Rarity-6. 64.4 gns. A second. Light brown in color on both

sides. Center of obverse rough, a little pitted, small nick near rim to the right of the Indian’s head; reverse fields rougher in ap- pearance, scratched in the field below the wings. Scarce. Struck from later die states, the reverse breaking at ‘ACH’.

Ex W.B. Guy Collection (Henry Chapman, November 3, 1911, lot 64); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd; Ryder’s ticket and Boyd’s envelope accompany this lot.

THE RYDER PLATE R.6-D 1787 HALF CENT

Lot No. 80

80 1787 Half Cent. R.6-D. About Uncirculated. Low Rarity-6. 69.9 gns. Condition Census for this scarce variety.

Ryder Plate Coin. Dark olive brown in color on both sides. Obverse fields microgranular, flawed to the right in the eagle’s right wing, some pinprick-sized flaws in this area, another at the lower left shield edge. Faint, nearly hidden old scratches in the lower left reverse field. Fairly decent central sharpness for the grade. Struck from the broken state of the obverse, cracked from rim down to the upper left serif of ‘E’.

Ex W It Guy Collection (Henry Chapman , November 3, 191 1, lot 65); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd; graded "Extremely fine" on Ryder’s ticket.

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1787 MASSACHUSETTS HALF CENT AND CENTS

A SECOND CONDITION CENSUS R.6-D 1787 HALF CENT

Lot No. 81

81 1787 Half Cent. R.6-D. About Uncirculated. Low Rarity-6. 67.8 gns. A second. Condition Census for the variety.

Light olive brown in color on both sides. Obverse surfaces mostly smooth and hard, just light roughness in the center and a few tiny, stray marks. Reverse smooth and hard everywhere save above the eagle’s head where some vandal has dam- aged the coin. Fairly decent central sharpness, nonetheless. Struck from the broken state of the obverse, cracked from rim down to the upper left serif of ‘E’.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

1787 CENTS

EXTREMELY RARE R.l-B 1787 CENT One of the Finest Seen

Lot No. 82

82 1787 Cent. R.l-B. Aged Face. Very Fine, or thereabouts. Rarity-7. 136.8 gns. One of the finest seen of a variety

whose Condition Census includes two graded Good, one About Good, and one Fine. The best one seems to be the Ex- tremely Fine first reported in Packard’s 1990 census. Struck on a broad planchet (particularly when compared to the one in the next lot which is on a smaller and much more constricted flan). Light olive brown in color on both sides. Fairly smooth and hard surfaces, no serious handling marks or other signs of handling damage visible on either side.

Struck on a remarkably clipped flan, appearing as a semi-circle at the upper right, most of ‘WE’ in the legend off the flan on the obverse but only the final ‘S’ and its accompanying stop on the reverse. Indian’s features clear, sharp and bold, his profile very plain; eagle’s face nicely defiant and at center CENT is still almost entirely legible. Extremely rare: the cataloguer knows of only seven of these. They are believed to have been contemporary counterfeits of the pe- riod. (SEE COLOR PLATE)

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

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INCREDIBLE TRANSPOSED ARROWS 1787 MASSACHUSETTS CENT

The coin on thin plate is shown enlarged.

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1787 MASSACHUSETTS CENTS

A PAIR OF RARE R.l-B 1787 CENTS

Lot No. 83 Lot No. 84

83 1787 Cent. R.l-B. Aged Face. Very Good/Fine. Rarity-7. 123.6 gns. A second example of this extremely rare issue.

This piece is toned a very nice light olive brown on both sides. The fields are mostly smooth and hard with just micro- granularity visible under a glass. Struck on a remarkably constricted flan, with the tops of ‘COMMO’ mostly or partially off the flan on the obverse, ‘ASSATHUSET’ off on the reverse. No signs of accidental damage or mishandling save for a few very minor reverse rim tics, one beside ‘E’.

Ex Waldo Newcomer, Colonel E.H.R. Green, F.C.C. Boyd.

84 1787 Cent. R.l-B. Aged Face. Good/Very Good. Rarity-7. 112.7 gns. A third example of this extremely rare issue.

Both sides are toned in a nice, fairly even olive brown shade. Deeply flawed in the center of the reverse, linearly across, with consequent bulging on the obverse accounting for the extreme softness on that side. Struck on a small and con- stricted flan, as the piece in the preceding lot.

Ex Tom Elder, May 31, 1906, lot number unrecorded; Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

INCREDIBLE CHOICE TRANSPOSED ARROWS 1787 CENT Possible Finest Known

Lot No. 85

85 1787 Cent. R.2a-F. Transposed Arrows. Choice Uncirculated. High Rarity-6. 147.0 gns. Possible finest known

and if not, tied for that honor with just one other that has not been seen publicly since 1975. Even, light brown color on both sides with traces of mint red showing in places, particularly in ‘EALTH' on the obverse. Surfaces microgranular but not disturbingly so and essentially mark free. Obverse center sharply struck, just minor weakness shows on the verti- cal folds on the right of the Indian’s tunic. On the reverse, the raised letters in CENT are soft but legible. Elsewhere this side very sharp. Reverse rim bevelled by the planchet cutter used to make the blank.

Very rare: the cataloguer knows of 10 including the Appleton-MHS specimen, Brand 11:960, Garrett:582, the Newman coin, Oechsner:1011, ANS, Essex Institute, and two other specimens (including another Gem also ex Europe). Trans- posed arrows on the reverse, held in the eagle’s right talons, found on no other Massachusetts Cent reverse. Letters in CENT are in raised letters on the shield, not sunk in, this is also unique in the series. For these reasons, a completely separate type in the series. According to colonials maven Bill Anton, there were two Gem Transposed Arrows 1787 Cents found in Europe early in 1975. John Ford bought one and Bill bought the other. (SEE COLOR PLATE)

Ex an unnamed European source; Scott Cordry and Freeman Craig, February 2, 1975; F.S. Werner on February 10, 1975.

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1787 MASSACHUSETTS CENTS

Lot No. 86

86 1787 Cent. R.2b-A. Horned Eagle. About Uncirculated. Low Rarity-3. 158.1 gns. Both the obverse and reverse are toned in a

pleasing gray and olive brown. The obverse surfaces are relatively smooth and hard while those on the reverse are somewhat granular and rough particularly the upper right. The obverse surfaces are lightly reflective. Good central sharpness on both sides, the softness visible there fairly typical for the denomination. Struck from the broken state of the reverse with a pro- nounced cud rising from the top of the eagle’s head to engage the lower left serif of ‘H’ above, giving rise to the variety’s nick- name “Horned Eagle.” Elsewhere, the die on this side shows lighter signs of failure, particularly above and to the left of the date. Ryder 2a and 2b are different states of the same die, the latter showing recutting in some letters.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 87 Lot No. 88

87 1787 Cent. R.2b-A. Horned Eagle. Nice Extremely Fine. Low Rarity-3. 160.2 gns. A second, very pleasing example and a nearly perfect choice for the type. The obverse and reverse are nicely toned in a rich olive brown shade. The obverse fields are fairly smooth and hard while the roughness on the reverse is attributable primarily to the late state of the die. Very pronounced horn on the eagle’s head, clear signs of failure around the rim from about 2:30 to 8:00. Small reverse rim bruise in the space above ‘SA’.

Ex Sampson (possibly Elder’s May, 1932 sale but no other details recorded ); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd; graded “Extremely fine" by Ryder.

88 1787 Cent. R.2b-A. Horned Eagle. Extremely Fine. Low Rarity-3. 153.1 gns. A third. Light brown with traces of red, once cleaned and retoned. Obverse surfaces fairly smooth, reverse’s rougher as expected, the die failing peripherally around. Some light flaws on the reverse, small edge flaw visible from the reverse at about 11:30.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

OUTSTANDING R.2b-C 1787 CENT One of the Finest Seen — The Ryder Plate Coin

Lot No. 89

89 1787 Cent. R.2b-C. Choice About Uncirculated. Rarity-5. 161.4 gns. One of the finest seen of a variety that does

not appear to be known in Uncirculated condition. The Ryder Plate Coin for reverse C. Both sides are toned in pale olive brown shades with traces of very faded mint color in some of the protected areas on the back. Obverse and reverse surfaces mostly smooth and hard with virtually no trace of microgranularity visible. Centers somewhat soft as typical for the issue but CENT fully legible and almost all of the folds in the Indian’s tunic sharp and individually separated. Small edge burr visible on the obverse above ‘ON’. Reverse die breaking from ‘M’ paralleling rim down to engage first numeral in the date.

Ex Henry Chapman, October 4, 191 1 ; Hillyer Ryder. F.C.C Boyd; graded "Extremely fine" by Ryder.

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1787 MASSACHUSETTS CENTS

Lot No. 90 Lot No. 91

90 1787 Cent. R.2b-C. Choice Very Fine for sharpness. Rarity-5. 158.5 gns. A second. Rich olive brown in color. Obverse

scratched diagonally across twice through the center, as if the piece had been “cancelled.” Struck from a much later state of the reverse, the linear break that runs almost parallel from the rim from ‘M’ through the first numeral of the date here is thicker and is beginning to form a cud along its length. Small obverse rim tic above ‘W’.

Ex F.W. Doughty Collection (Tom Elder, September 28-29, 1916, lot 785); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

91 1787 Cent. R.2b-C. Very Fine/Fine. Rarity-5. 130.1 gns. A third. An unusually lightweight example. Both sides are pale gray-

brown in color. The surfaces are fairly rough, the obverse flawed in the left field, rims on both sides with many fairly shallow dents.

Ex Lyman Low, September 5, 1910, lot 130; Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

A PAIR OF CONDITION CENSUS 1787 R.2b-E CENTS

Lot No. 92

92 1787 Cent. R.2b-E. Choice Very Fine. Rarity-5. 186.0 gns. Condition Census for the variety. A remarkably heavy

Massachusetts Cent. Both the obverse and reverse are toned a nice olive brown shade. The fields are fairly smooth and hard, showing just microgranularity. Some stray hairline scratches on both sides, the obverse rim rough due entirely to the planchet cutter which has left a pronounced lip at about 7:00.

Ex Elmer Sears, May 27, 1920; Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 93

93 1787 Cent. R.2b-E. Very Fine. Rarity-5. 187.0 gns. A second, also Condition Census for the variety. Probably the

Ryder Plate Coin for reverse E but the plate quality is poor and absolute certainty cannot be assured. Both the obverse and reverse are toned a rich even olive brown. The fields are fairly smooth, showing just microgranularity. Several ob- verse rim dents, the reverse rim essentially undisturbed. A good example for the specialist. Hillyer Ryder annotated his collector’s ticket that the piece was “not properly classified,” presumably meaning that Elder had got the Crosby number wrong.

Ex Tom Elder’s 44th Sale (October 12, 1910, lot 79); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

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1787 MASSACHUSETTS CENTS

HIGH GRADE R.3-G 1787 CENT

Lot No. 94

94 1787 Cent. R.3-G. Choice Uncirculated. Low Rarity-3. 140.5 gns. Condition Census for the variety. A lovely exam-

ple. Both the obverse and reverse are a very pale olive brown shade with an attractive light purple-rose highlight around the lower left portion of the reverse. The surfaces are essentially free from porosity. There are considerable traces of orig- inal mint red remaining in the protected areas of both sides principally around the letters of the legends. Centers fairly decently struck, just minor weakness on the folds of the Indian’s tunic above and below his waist. CENT in the center of the reverse fully legible. Light areas of die rust visible on the obverse, scattered in places around the Indian’s figure. Well centered on both sides. A thoroughly representative example and a near perfect choice for a high grade type coin. (SEE COLOR PLATE)

Ex Virgil Brand, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 95

95 1787 Cent. R.3-G. About Uncirculated technical grade. Low Rarity-3. 156.7 gns. A second. Dark olive brown in color on both

sides with a faint trace of iridescent blue visible in the fields. Surfaces mostly smooth and hard, showing just microgranularity. Obverse rim ragged at the lower right, mirrored on the reverse at the upper right due to a planchet cutter depression there. There are very subtle traces of faded mint color in ‘MM’ on the obverse.

Ex Ellsworth Collection (Wayte Raymond, April 28, 1923, lot number unrecorded); Hitlyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd ; Ryder's ticket and Boyd’s envelope accom- pany the lot.

Lot No. 96

96 1787 Cent. R.3-G. Choice Extremely Fine. Low Rarity-3. 150.0 gns. A third. Both the obverse and reverse of this piece are

toned in a rich golden brown shade. The fields are microgranular but not disturbingly so. Obverse centers soft ns expected but CENT fully legible on the reverse.

Ex Harlan Rage Smith Collection (S .11. & 11. Chapman, May 8, 1906, lot 88); I lit Iyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

46 —

1787 MASSACHUSETTS CENTS

Lot No. 97 Lot No. 98

97 1787 Cent. R.3-G. Very Fine. Low Rarity-3. 120.9 gns. A fourth. Both the obverse and reverse are toned in a pale gray-brown shade. The fields are microgranular in appearance and the centers are somewhat soft particularly on the obverse. CENT is mostly legible. Fairly well centered, the obverse just slightly off to the left.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

98 1787 Cent. R.4-C. Bowed Head. About Uncirculated. Low Rarity-4. 143.2 gns. Condition Census for the variety. Pale gray-brown and gold in color. Obverse and reverse fields microgranular, some shallow flaws in the left obverse field. Centers soft but CENT and most of the vertical shield lines on the reverse fully visible. Some light striking weakness around the ob- verse rim affecting the tops of ‘COM’ and ‘WE’. Indian’s head full and sharp, profile bold, individual hair strands visible with- out the aid of magnification.

Ex W.B. Collection (Henry Chapman , November 3, 1911), lot 40; Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 99 Lot No. 100

99 1787 Cent. R.4-C. Bowed Head. Choice Very Fine. Low Rarity-4. 154.7 gns. A second. This piece is toned in a very deep olive

gray and brown. The fields are microgranular in appearance with some areas of roughness particularly on the reverse. Centers soft, usual obverse engraver’s error horizontally across above the waist but CENT on the other side fully legible. Somewhat tight on the flan on the reverse but all the letters in the legend are fully present. Typical striking weakness at the tops of ‘COM’ and ‘WE’ on the obverse. Some short, new rim scratches at top of third ‘S’ on the reverse.

Ex Wayte Raymond , October 8, 1920; Hillyer Ryder , F.C.C. Boyd.

100 1787 Cent. R.4-C. Bowed Head. Very Fine. Low Rarity-4. 147.1 gns. A third. The obverse is a light gray-olive brown while

the reverse is a pleasing combination of lighter golden brown. Surfaces microgranular on both sides, centers soft but CENT fully legible. Some stray obverse and reverse rim marks are noted. Usual obverse engraver’s error across the Indian’s figure above its waist. The die sinker failed to reduce the die at that point and coins struck from obverse 4 show a deep fissure rather than a normally inlet waist line.

Ex Henry Chapman, October 4, 1911; Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd; Ryder’s ticket, Boyd’s envelope, and an unidentified collector’s smaller ticket accompany this lot.

CONDITION CENSUS 1787 R.4-D CENT

Lot No. 101

101 1787 Cent. R.4-D. Bowed Head. About Uncirculated. High Rarity-3. 152.7 gns. Condition Census for the variety,

possibly high therein. A lovely example beautifully toned an olive brown shade. The surfaces on both sides are smooth, hard, with just microgranularity and still showing some light reflectivity. Small obverse rim bruise above ‘ON’ the only mark requiring specific mention. Fairly well struck in the centers, CENT fully legible. Usual too deep waist line on the obverse. Obverse die lightly breaking above ‘W’.

Ex George H. Earle Collection (Henry Chapman, June 27, 1912, lot 2003); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd; Ryder’s ticket and Boyd’s envelope accom- pany this lot.

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1787 MASSACHUSETTS CENTS

Lot No. 102 Lot No. 103

102 1787 Cent. R.4-D. Bowed Head. Choice Extremely Fine, nearly About Uncirculated. High Rarity-3. 157.9 gns. A second, also Condition Census for the variety. A very attractive example evenly toned a rich golden brown shade on both sides. The surfaces are smooth, hard and porosity free save for the upper right on the obverse. Some slight reflectivity remains. No signs of accidental damage or careless mishandling.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

103 1787 Cent. R.4-D. Bowed Head. Choice Very Fine. High Rarity-3. 150.4 gns. A third. Nice olive brown with some consider- able “wood grain” surface effect visible on each side. Surfaces mostly smooth and hard, those on the reverse a little rougher than on the front. Some light rim tics both sides, small bruises above ‘M’ and ‘HU’ on the reverse. Struck from the broken state of the reverse, the die linearly failing at the lower right engaging the base of the last two date numerals.

Ex Tom Elder’s 53rd Sale ( October 13, 1911, lot 487); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

LOVELY R.6-G 1787 CENT One of the Finest Seen

104 1787 Cent. R.6-G. Stout Indian. Choice Uncirculated. Low Rarity-4. 161.7 gns. One of the finest seen of a variety

whose Condition Census includes an About Uncirculated coin. Both sides are toned a very pale brown which shows some ruddy highlights on the reverse. Obverse surface microgranular, particularly around the center; reverse microgranular, but not disturbingly so. Centers fairly sharp, almost all of the folds in the Indian’s tunic are clear and CENT is fully legi- ble. Small rim cut above ‘H’ on the reverse. Struck from the broken state of the reverse, the die failing from ‘T’ through the top of the neighboring ‘S’ to the rim below. (SEE COLOR PLATE)

Ex Edward Miller Collection (William Hesslein, April 12, 1916, lot 657); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

(Enlarged)

Lot No. 1 04

(Enlarged)

Lot No. 105

105 1787 Cent. R.6-G. Stout Indian. Very Fine. Low Rarity-4. 154.6 gns. A second. Both the obverse and reverse are a deep

brown in color. Obverse scratched in the left held, flawed above the first ‘M’, rim ragged at right; reverse microgranular around the periphery, soft in the center, lightly flawed down from the rim at the upper left and right.

Ex W It < ii/y (.ollectian (Henry Chapman, November 3. 191 1, lot 42); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C Boyd; described by Ryder on his ticket as "Fine. Pin scratches in obverse field. "

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1787 MASSACHUSETTS CENTS

GEM R.7-H 1787 CENT The Finest Seen

Lot No. 1 06

106 1787 Cent. R.7-H. Stout Indian. Gem Uncirculated. Prooflike. High Rarity-6. 150.3 gns. The finest seen by the

cataloguer. The obverse is medium brown in color while the reverse is darker with some mottling. There is mint lustre visible about the protected areas of the obverse. Fields microgranular, particularly on the reverse and in the centers. Ob- verse die damaged in the left and right fields as usual, creating the linear marks visible on the coin. Vertical folds in the Indian’s tunic soft below the waist, reverse center very soft, CENT not struck up. Very scarce: there are probably only around 15 to 20 of these surviving. Considered to be a contemporary counterfeit of the period. (SEE COLOR PLATE)

Ex Virgil Brand, F.C.C. Boyd.

THE RYDER PLATE R.7-H 1787 CENT

Lot No. 107

107 1787 Cent. R.7-H. Stout Indian. Very Fine. High Rarity-6. 153.0 gns. A second example of this very scarce variety.

The Ryder Plate Coin. This piece is toned light golden brown on the obverse, much darker and somewhat mottled brown and gold on the reverse. Obverse surface mostly smooth and hard to the naked eye. The reverse is rougher in ap- pearance. Centers fairly sharp, roughness visible below the Indian’s waist on the obverse is mirrored by lighter roughness in the center of the reverse, but CENT is fully legible. Small reverse rim bruise above ‘TT’. Struck from the broken state of the obverse, the die damaged in the upper left field, cracked in the lower right. Not quite as sharp as the Vlack plate coin. (SEE COLOR PLATE)

Ex Henry Chapman, March 25-26, 1910, lot 822; Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd; Ryder’s ticket and Boyd’s envelope accompany this lot. Ryder’s ticket describes this coin as “brown color, second rarest Mass. Cent; it really may be the rarest. ”

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LOVELY R.l-B 1788 MASSACHUSETTS HALF CENT

MAGNIFICENT R.7-M 1788 MASSACHUSETTS HALF CENT

GEM R.7-H 1787 STOUT INDIAN MASSACHUSETTS CENT

ALL coins on this plate arc < ho tun enlarged.

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1788 MASSACHUSETTS HALF CENTS

1788 HALF CENTS

LOVELY R.l-A 1788 HALF CENT The Ryder Plate Coin

(Enlarged)

Lot No. 108

108 1788 Half Cent. R.l-A. Uncirculated. High Rarity-4. 70.4 gns. Condition Census for the variety and probably high

therein. Mike Packard’s 2004 Condition Census has an About Uncirculated coin at the bottom. The Ryder Plate Coin for reverse A. Nice rich and even olive brown color. Obverse surfaces mostly smooth and hard save for the upper left; re- verse rough around the periphery. Centers rough as struck but HALF CENT legible. Traces of a planchet cutter lip visi- ble around the base of the reverse, through the tops of ‘MA’.

Ex S.H. & H. Chapman, July 7, 1904, lot 358; Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd; Ryder’s ticket describes this coin as “Uncirculated. Slightly weak on In- dian. Olive.”

LOVELY R.l-B 1788 HALF CENT

109 1788 Half Cent. R.l-B. Very Choice Uncirculated, red and brown. Rarity-2. 79.6 gns. Condition Census for the

variety. Probably the Ryder Plate Coin but the quality of the plate is poor and absolute certainty cannot be assured. The obverse and reverse are both light brown in color. There are ample traces of original mint color in the protected areas, particularly in the Indian’s figure and the ground on which he stands. The obverse and reverse surfaces are mostly smooth and hard showing only microgranularity under magnification. Well struck in the centers with all the folds in the Indian’s tunic sharp and HALF CENT fully legible. Struck from the broken state of the reverse, the die cracked from the arrow fletches down through the left side of the last numeral in the date. (SEE COLOR PLATE)

Ex George H. Earle Collection (Henry Chapman, June 27, 1912, lot 2020); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd; Boyd’s ticket and Ryder’s envelope accom- pany this lot.

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1788 MASSACHUSETTS HALF CENTS AND CENTS

Lot No. 110

Lot No. Ill

110 1788 Half Cent. R.l-B. About Uncirculated. Rarity-2. 81.0 gns. A second example. Both sides are toned a dark olive brown.

The centers are somewhat soft with roughness below the Indian’s waist on the obverse but HALF CENT fully legible. Minor microgranularity visible on both sides, particularly the top of the reverse. Struck from the unbroken state of the reverse.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Ill 1788 Half Cent. R.l-B. About Uncirculated. Rarity-2. 80.9 gns. A third. Light golden brown with some “wood grain” surface effect visible on both sides. Surfaces somewhat rough in places, particularly in the lower right on the obverse and upper right on the reverse. Flan cracked from the rim on the obverse at 5:00 through to the Indian’s left leg. Struck from the broken state of the reverse.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F. C. C. Boyd.

Lot No. 112 Lot No. 113

112 1788 Half Cent. R.l-B. Choice Extremely Fine. Rarity-2. 83.8 gns. A fourth. Nice pale olive brown on both sides with “wood

grain” surface effect visible on the obverse. Fields mostly smooth and hard, those on the front showing some light granularity. Struck from the unbroken state of the reverse.

Ex Lyman Low’s 146th Sale (January 17, 1910, lot 78); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

113 1788 Half Cent. R.l-B. Extremely Fine. Rarity-2. 83.0 gns. A fifth. Both sides are light olive brown in color. The surfaces are

lightly granular particularly around the peripheries. Struck from the unbroken state of the reverse.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

1788 CENTS

CONDITION CENSUS 1788 R.l-D CENT

\

Lot No. 114

114

1788 Cent. R.l-D. Uncirculated. Low Rarity-3. 147.6 gns. Condition Census for the variety. A lovely example, both sides toned in a very pleasing light golden olive shade. The fields in the centers are mostly smooth and hard, the periph- eries show some granularity particularly at the top of the obverse. Retained obverse lamination at the rim above ‘LT, small flaw diagonally opposite. Very sharply struck in the centers, full horizontal tunic lines sharp on the obverse and CENT and vertical shield lines bold on the reverse.

Ex Tom Elder's 44th Sale (October 12, 1910, lot 485); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

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1788 MASSACHUSETTS CENTS

Lot No. 115

115 1788 Cent. R.l-D. Choice About Uncirculated. Low Rarity-3. 156.5 gns. A second example. This piece is light golden brown in

color on both sides. The fields are lightly granular, particularly on the obverse. The centers are sharp, with CENT bold.

Ex T. James Clarke, Dr. French, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 116 Lot No. 117

116 1788 Cent. R.l-D. About Uncirculated. Low Rarity-3. 156.5 gns. A third. Nice pale green and olive on the obverse, lighter

brown and gold on the reverse. Surfaces just microgranular around the peripheries, centers fairly smooth and sharp. Full verti- cal folds in the Indian’s tunic visible on the obverse, CENT and vertical shield lines clear on the reverse. Faint vertical stria- tions on the reverse from the rim down through ‘CH’, the first running into the center of the shield.

Ex S.H. & H. Chapman, December 16, 1904, lot number unrecorded; Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

117 1788 Cent. R.l-D. About Uncirculated. Low Rarity-3. 145.4 gns. A fourth. Deep olive brown in color on both sides. Surfaces

mostly smooth, even and hard, with just light granularity around the rims on the side. Struck on a clipped flan, semicircular clip visible on the obverse at about 8:00. Light striations on the reverse from the rim above ‘ET’, small dings above.

Ex Tom Elder's 47th Sale (January 13, 1910, lot 522); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 118 Lot No. 119

118 1788 Cent. R.2-B. About Uncirculated. Rarity-4. 137.3 gns. Condition Census for the variety. Rich golden brown in color

on both sides. Obverse surface laminated linearly across in several places, reverse rough in appearance but this is due mostly to the advanced state of the die in the right field. Fairly sharp in the centers, the tunic folds above the waist on the obverse are soft but those below are sharp and CENT and the vertical shield lines below it are fully legible.

Ex George H. Earle Collection (Henry Chapman, June 27, 1912, lot 2014); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

119 1788 Cent. R.2-B. Nearly Extremely Fine technical grade. Rarity-4. 155.9 gns. A second. Dark olive brown in color on both

sides. Surfaces fairly rough in places, reverse flawed down in the lower right field, scratched there. Struck from about the same reverse die state as the piece in the preceding lot.

Ex Lyman Low’s 146th Sale (January 17, 1910, lot 78); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

— 53 —

1788 MASSACHUSETTS CENTS

Lot No. 120

Lot No. 121

120 1788 Cent. R.3-A. About Uncirculated. Low Rarity-4. 165.9 gns. Condition Census for the variety. The obverse is light

golden brown while the reverse is a deeper olive green in color. There is considerable “wood grain” surface effect visible on both sides. The obverse surface is microgranular while the reverse is rougher at the top and shows a light lamination paralleling the rim at the bottom right. Good central sharpness, CENT bold.

Ex Elmer S. Sears Collection (B.Max Mehl, December 18, 1918, lot 225); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

121 1788 Cent. R.3-A. About Uncirculated. Low Rarity-4. 161.4 gns. A second example, also Condition Census for the variety

Deep olive brown on both sides. Obverse center fairly smooth and hard, periphery a little disturbed by some roughness particu- larly at the lower left where there is a flaw engaging the first ‘M’. Reverse considerably rougher principally around the periph- eries but also diagonally down through the center. Sharp and pronounced rim flaw at left above ‘ASS’, probably a planchet cutter error. Very good central sharpness, bolder there than usually seen on the variety.

Ex Matthew Adams Stickney Collection (Henry Chapman, June 25, 1907, lot 125); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd; Ryder described this coin on his ticket as “Slight defect in planchet. Uncirculated. ”

LOVELY R.3-E 1788 CENT The Finest Seen

(Enlarged) Lot No. 122 (Enlarged)

122 1788 Cent. R.3-E. Choice Uncirculated. Rarity-4. 159.9 gns. The finest seen of a variety previously unreported in

Uncirculated condition. Both sides are toned a rich deep golden brown color. The fields are bright, smooth, hard and show only microgranularity in places. The centers are quite sharp, even the vertical folds in the Indian’s tunic are clear and CENT is bold. There are a couple of minor flaws at the rim of the shield above ‘CE’. (SEE COLOR PLATE )

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 123

12.! 1788 Cent. R.3-E. Extremely Fine for sharpness. Rarity-4. 156.8 gns. A second, also Condition Census for its sharpness

grade. Somewhat mottled light and darker brown with traces of old corrosion on the reverse. Surfaces rough particularly around the peripheries.

Ex W B (my (,ollection (llcnry Chapman , November 3, 191 1 lot 46); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd; Ryder's ticket and Boyd's envelope accompany this lot.

- 54 —

11788 MASSACHUSETTS CENTS

Lot No. 124 Lot No. 125

124 1788 Cent. R.3-E. Fine. Rarity-4. 142.1 gns. A third. Light olive brown in color on both sides. A dramatic error example and quite rare in this series. Obverse struck off center to the lower right by about 10%, portions of the legend and ground line on which the Indian stands off the flan. Reverse off center to the top, ‘ACHUSET’ off the flan but the date bold.

Ex Tom Elder’s 49th Sale (March 17, 1911, lot 1047); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd; Ryder’s ticket and Boyd’s envelope accompany this lot.

125 1788 Cent. R.4-G. Extremely Fine. High Rarity-4. 148.5 gns. Condition Census for the variety. Deep olive brown in color on both sides. Obverse and reverse surfaces microgranular, rims somewhat rough in places. Reverse slightly off center to the upper left.

Ex Tom Elder, October 17, 1908, lot 46; Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

MINT STATE 1788 R.6-N CENT

(Enlarged)

Lot No. 126

(Enlarged)

126 1788 Cent. R.6-N. Uncirculated. Low Rarity-3. 147.1 gns. Condition Census for the variety. Light golden brown

color on both sides. The surfaces in the center smooth and hard, granular around the peripheries. Flan cracked on the ob- verse from rim at 7:00 into the bow, mirrored on the reverse between ‘CH’. Centers a bit rough, particularly on the re- verse, CENT nevertheless legible. (SEE COLOR PLATE)

Ex Henry Chapman, February 16, 1919; Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd; accompanied by an unknown collector’s ticket, annotated “Crosby 6-N. Uncir- culated. Light olive. ”

Lot No. 127 Lot No. 128

| 127 1788 Cent. R.6-N. Choice Extremely Fine, nearly About Uncirculated. Low Rarity-3. 168.2 gns. Another. Probably the Ryder

Obverse Plate Coin, the small rim bruise at 5:00 on the coin seems to be in the plate, too. Attractive, dramatic olive brown in color. Surfaces microgranular with just a few light traces of roughness, principally around the peripheries. Shallow rim dent on the obverse to the right of ‘H’, an even tinier one on the reverse to the left of the date. A very nice example, well suited for a type collection.

Ex James S. Bryant Collection (Lyman Low, December 12, 1906, lot 50); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd,

j 128 1788 Cent. R.6-N. Choice Extremely Fine, nearly About Uncirculated. Low Rarity-3. 157.3 gns. A third. Light olive in color.

Surfaces microgranular, rough in the centers, flawed below the Indian’s right arm and from the rim on the obverse at 8:00 into ‘CO’ below.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

— 55 —

1788 MASSACHUSETTS CENTS

Lot No. 129 Lot No. 130

129 1788 Cent. R.6-N. Choice Extremely Fine. Low Rarity-3. 161.1 gns. A fourth. Olive brown with purple highlights in the center

of the reverse. Obverse microgranular around the periphery, linearly flawed from rim above ‘T’ into center; reverse similarly flawed diagonally across through the lower center. Most obverse design details bold, CENT fully legible on the reverse.

Ex Tom Elder, November 6, 1915, lot 666; Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

130 1788 Cent. R.6-N. Very Fine. Low Rarity-3. 146.7 gns. A fifth. Mottled olive brown on both sides. Fields just microgranular,

centers somewhat soft, Obverse flawed along the rim at the top, shallow reverse rim dent at the lower left.

Ex Henry Chapman, January 16, 1915, lot 48; Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

MAGNIFICENT R.7-M 1788 CENT The Finest Seen

(Enlarged) Lot No. 131 (Enlarged)

131 1788 Cent. R.7-M. Choice Uncirculated. High Rarity-4. 153.3 gns. The finest seen of a variety whose 2004 Condi-

tion Census includes an Extremely Fine coin. Lovely rich olive brown in color on both sides with some traces of faded mint red in the center of the reverse. Surfaces mostly smooth and hard to the naked eye, just betraying light microgranu- larity under magnification and some faint hairlines. Well struck in the centers, the vertical fold lines in the Indian’s tunic visible below his waist and CENT fully legible on the reverse. (SEE COLOR PLATE)

Ex Henry C. Miller Collection (Tom Elder. May 28, 1920, lot 1560); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 132

132 1788 Cent. R.7-M. Uncirculated. High Rarity-4. 160.4 gns. A second. Condition Census and probably high therein despite

the obverse strike softness. Rich olive brown on both sides. Obverse somewhat dull and a little soft in the center; reverse brighter and sharper. Small rim nick above ‘S’ on the back.

Ex Hillyer Ryder. F.C.C. Boyd.

— 56 —

1788 MASSACHUSETTS CENTS

133

Lot No. 133 Lot No. 134

1788 Cent. R.7-M. Extremely Fine for sharpness. High Rarity-4. 150.6 gns. A third. Gray and red, once cleaned. Centers some- what soft, peripheries rough.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

134 1788 Cent. R.8-C. Choice Extremely Fine. Rarity-3. 159.8 gns. Dark olive brown in color. Surfaces lightly granular particularly

around the peripheries. Lightly flawed on the obverse rim above ‘AL’. Fairly sharp in the center, CENT bold. Shallow rim dent on the reverse above ‘M\ Old scratches at ‘HUSET’ on reverse.

Ex Henry Chapman, date unrecorded; Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd; accompanied by an unknown collector’s ticket annotated “Crosby No. 8-C. Extremely Fine. Steel color. ”

OUTSTANDING R.9-M 1788 CENT The Finest Seen

(Enlarged) Lot No. 135 ( Enlarged )

135 1788 Cent. R.9-M. Uncirculated. Rarity-6. 166.0 gns. The finest seen of a variety previously unreported in Uncircu-

lated condition. Both sides are toned a rich deep golden brown. Obverse surface remarkably striated diagonally down from the upper right to lower left, disturbing the sharpness in the center; reverse much clearer and sharper save for a lin- ear flaw at the upper left and artifacts of obverse rim damage at the lower left. Minor porosity around the rim in other places on this side but not disturbingly so. Quite sharp in the centers nonetheless, CENT bold and the vertical folds in the Indian’s tunic sharp. An interesting coin from a technical point of view, showing the sorts of problems the minters en- countered when rolling planchet stock that had not been adequately swept down after annealing, resulting in some light slag inclusions on one side. (SEE COLOR PLATE)

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

ATTRACTIVE R.10-L 1788 CENT

Lot No. 136

136 1788 Cent. R.10-L. Choice About Uncirculated. High Rarity-2. 152.7 gns. Nice olive green and brown. Obverse surface

mostly smooth and hard; reverse striated diagonally down from the upper left to lower right. Minor porosity around the rims. Centers typical, the reverse sharper than the obverse with full CENT legible.

Ex Wayte Raymond's first public auction sale (December 8, 1910, lot 8); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

— 57 —

1788 MASSACHUSETTS CENTS

Lot No. 137 Lot No. 138

137 1788 Cent. R.10-L. Choice About Uncirculated. High Rarity-2. 169.3 gns. Another. Nice, golden brown obverse, olive

brown reverse. Traces of very faded mint color can be seen in some of the protected areas on the obverse. Obverse surface mostly smooth and hard, lightly porous around the rim, small old nick in the lower left field; remnants of a planchet cutter lip visible above ‘SETTS’.

Ex Tom Elder’s 60th Sale (March 29. 1912, lot 798); Hilly er Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

138 1788 Cent. R.10-L. About Uncirculated. High Rarity-2. 151.1 gns. A third. Nice even olive brown on both sides. Small ton-

ing mark on the obverse below ‘EA’, old shallow scratches in the upper right reverse field.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 139 Lot No. 140

139 1788 Cent. R.10-L. Choice Extremely Fine, nearly About Uncirculated. High Rarity-2. 164.0 gns. A fourth. Light golden brown

with some iridescent green and pale gold overtones on both sides. Surfaces mostly smooth and hard to the naked eye. Obverse rim dented above ‘LT’; reverse nicked above second ‘T\ Fairly sharp in the centers, CENT bold.

Ex Andrew C. Zabriskie Collection (Henry Chapman, June 4, 1909, lot 59); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

140 1788 Cent. R.10-L. Extremely Fine. High Rarity-2. 146.7 gns. A fifth. Light olive brown in color on both sides. Surfaces mostly

smooth and hard to the naked eye, lightly porous around the peripheries. Fairly well struck in the centers, CENT bold. Obverse heavily scratched.

Ex George M. Parsons Collection (Henry Chapman, June 24, 1914, lot 1 15); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd; Ryder’s ticket annotated “9/M Chapman error. ”

CONDITION CENSUS 1788 R.ll-C CENT

Lot No. 141

141

1788 Cent. R.ll-C. Slim Indian. About Uncirculated. Rarity-5. 156.3 gns. Condition Census. Nice even olive brown. Sui laces fairly smooth in the center, microgranular around the peripheries. Rims a trifle ragged, as struck.

Ex Torn Elder's 35th sale (November 30, 1909, lot 64).

1788 MASSACHUSETTS CENTS

CONDITION CENSUS R.ll-E 1788 CENT

Lot No. 142

142 1788 Cent. R.ll-E. Slim Indian. About Uncirculated. Low Rarity-4. 153.5 gns. Condition Census. Obverse light

olive brown, reverse a more mottled shade with areas of light corrosion visible in places. Fields uniformly microgranular but not disturbingly so. Centers fairly sharp, CENT and the eagle’s neck feathers bold.

Ex Henry Chapman, February 16, 1909; Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

R.ll-F SLIM INDIAN 1788 CENT

Lot No. 143

143 1788 Cent. R.ll-F. Slim Indian. Fine to Very Fine. Low Rarity-5. 152.6 gns. Olive brown in color on both sides. Obverse

scratched in the lower right field, the reverse quite porous around the peripheries, the rim ragged at the bottom.

Ex Matthew Adams Stickney Collection (Henry Chapman, June 25, 1907, lot 131); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

HIGH GRADE R.12-I 1788 CENT The Ryder Plate Coin

Lot No. 144

144 1788 Cent. R.12-I. About Uncirculated. Low Rarity-4. 152.6 gns. Condition Census and possibly high therein, this

variety is presently unknown in Uncirculated condition. The Ryder Plate Coin. Dark gray-black in color on both sides. Surfaces uniformly microgranular, particularly on the reverse. The obverse rim ragged at the top, the reverse lightly dented at the lower right. Centers fairly sharp, CENT bold.

Ex John G. Mills Collection (S.H. & H. Chapman, April 27, 1904, lot 212); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

— 59

1788 MASSACHUSETTS CENTS

THE FINEST SEEN R.12-K 1788 CENT

(Enlarged.)

Lot No. 145

(Enlarged)

145 1788 Cent. R.12-K. About Uncirculated. Low Rarity-6. 153.5 gns. The finest seen of a variety that is unknown in

Uncirculated condition. Mike Packard’s Condition Census lists an Extremely Fine as the current finest known to him. A very attractive example toned in pale golden brown on both sides. The surfaces are just microgranular with some light porosity around the reverse periphery. Trace of planchet cutter lip on the reverse above ‘USETTS’ accounting for the roughness there. Fairly well struck in the centers, CENT bold. (SEE COLOR PLATE)

Ex George H. Earle Collection ( Henry Chapman, June 27, 1912, lot 2019); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

SECOND SCARCE R.12-K 1788 CENT High Condition Census

Lot No. 146

146 1788 Cent. R.12-K. Extremely Fine. Low Rarity-6. 171.0 gns. A second example, High Condition Census, an ex-

tremely high grade for one of these despite the surfaces. Technically, tied for grade with the finest known to Packard in 2004. Dark olive brown. Obverse and reverse surfaces quite rough, those on the back particularly so. Centers fairly sharp, CENT bold.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

1788 MASSACHUSETTS CENTS

SUPERB UNCIRCULATED R.12-M 1788 CENT The Finest Seen

Lot No. 147

147 1788 Cent. R.12-M. Uncirculated. Low Rarity-4. 150.6 gns. The finest seen of a variety described as unknown in Un-

circulated condition. Nice light golden brown in color on both sides. Obverse and reverse surfaces microgranular in places, particularly around the rims. Centers very sharp, all of the vertical folds in the Indian’s tunic visible, CENT fairly bold, neck feathers sharp. (SEE COLOR PLATE)

Ex George M. Parsons Collection ( Henry Chapman, June 24, 1914, lot 120); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd; described by Hillyer Ryder on the ticket ac- companying the lot “Uncirculated. Superb. ”

ANOTHER SUPERIOR R.12-M 1788 CENT The Second Finest Seen

Lot No. 148

148 1788 Cent. R.12-M. Uncirculated. Low Rarity-4. 142.8 gns. A second example and the second finest seen of a vari-

ety previously unknown in Uncirculated condition. Rich brown and gold in color. Obverse and reverse surfaces micro- granular in the centers. Obverse cracked from rim down through ‘E’ to arrow butt, flawed above ‘TH’; reverse rim ragged above ‘ET’, flawed into the lowest arrow point. Centers fairly soft, CENT a little faint but still fully legible. (SEE COLOR PLATE)

Ex Judson P. Brenner Collection (U.S. Coin Company (Wayte Raymond), June 28, 1916. lot 204); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd; graded “ Uncircu- lated” by Ryder.

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1788 MASSACHUSETTS CENTS

LOVELY R.12-M 1788 CENT One of the Finest Known

Lot No. 149

149 1788 Cent. R.12-M. Choice About Uncirculated, a hair’s breadth away from fully Uncirculated. Low Rarity-4. 144.9

gns. A third. Certainly one of the finest known. Even olive brown in color on both sides. Obverse and reverse surfaces linearly striated horizontally across, particularly on the former; reverse rim rough at the left. Centers fairly sharp, CENT bold.

Ex Lyman Low’s 211th Sale (December 1, 1923, lot 96); Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 150 Lot No. 151

150 1788 Cent. R.12-M. Extremely Fine. Low Rarity-4. 149.2 gns. A fourth. Even deep olive brown and gray in color. Surfaces just microgranular, not disturbingly so. Fairly well struck in the centers. A good example of the variety.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

151 1788 Cent. R.12-M. Very Fine. Low Rarity-4. 153.2 gns. A fifth. Olive brown in color on both sides with some unusual swirly dark marks on the obverse. Surfaces microgranular everywhere, reverse rim dented in several places.

Ex Henry Chapman, October 4, 191 1; Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

OUTSTANDING R.13-N 1788 CENT The Finest Seen The Ryder Plate Coin

(Enlarged)

Lot No. 152

( Enlarged )

152 1788 Cent. R. 13-N. Choice Uncirculated. High Rarity-4. 158.8 gns. The Ryder Plate Coin. The finest seen of a

variety that includes an Extremely Fine at the end of its Condition Census. This variety was unknown in Uncirculated condition in the 1990 Census. This is a lovely example evenly toned a light olive brown shade. The surfaces on both sides are just microgranular and not disturbingly so. The rims are mostly smooth and hard, small depressions at the upper left on the obverse and lower left on the reverse noted. Nice and sharp in the centers, most folds in the Indian’s tunic clear and CENT bold. (SEE COLOR PLA TE)

Ex Tom Elder, December 1 1, 1914, lot 293; Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

62 —

1788 MASSACHUSETTS CENTS

A PAIR OF R.13-N 1788 CENTS

Lot No. 153

153 1788 Cent. R.13-N. Choice Very Fine, nearly Extremely Fine. High Rarity-4. 143.9 gns. Another. Light golden brown obverse,

gray brown reverse. Surfaces fairly evenly porous, obverse rim flawed below ground. Some obverse and reverse rim dents are noted.

Ex U.S. Coin Company CWayte Raymond), April 29, 1913, lot 244; Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

hot No. 154

154 1788 Cent. R.13-N. Very Fine. High Rarity-4. 156.6 gns. A third. Brown fields, fighter golden high points. Surfaces on both

sides uniformly porous. Obverse nicked at the top in two places. Given Ryder’s annotated ticket, could this have been the dis- covery coin for R.13-N?

Ex Charles Steigerwalt, June 30, 1908, lot 13; Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd; Ryder’s ticket annotated “IN CENT. Obv. not in Crosby. Rev. N. Very Good. ”

EXTREMELY RARE STOUT INDIAN 1788 CENT The Ryder Plate Coin One of the Finest R.14-J Known

(Enlarged) Lot No. 155 (Enlarged)

155 1788 Cent. R.14-J. Stout Indian. Choice Very Fine. High Rarity-7. 156.8 gns. One of the finest known. The ob-

verse and reverse are both light brown in color. The fields are porous in places but not really disturbingly so. Obverse flawed from rim down through the front of ‘C’, on the opposite side lightly laminated from rim down through ‘T’ to arrow shaft, rim at the top shows traces of light laminations and linear marks. Reverse with a couple of minor rim tics, none re- ally important. Fairly decent central sharpness, most of the horizontal folds in the tunic can be seen and CENT is almost entirely legible. Full date, first numeral soft at the bottom but legible.

Extremely rare: rated by Packard R-8 in 1997 with only two known and one other reported, R-8- in 2004. The Ryder Plate Coin. The cataloguer can now list six specimens: Unc. ex Picker- Vlack, reported by Bill Anton; this coin; one re- ported from Rhode Island as also grading Very Fine; next lot; the Greco Plate-ANS coin; and a rough piece graded by the cataloguer “Overall Fine” and sold for $4,180 in our September, 1993 sale (lot 1116). A contemporary counterfeit of the period (SEE COLOR PLATE )

Ex Henry C. Miller, Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd; Ryder’s ticket annotated “Exchanged with Henry C. Miller Dec. 20 1918. ”

— 63 —

1788 MASSACHUSETTS CENTS

SECOND EXTREMELY RARE R.14-J 1788 CENT

(Enlarged.) Lot No. 156 (Enlarged)

156 1788 Cent. R.14-J. Stout Indian. Near Fine. High Rarity-7. 148.9 gns. A second. Extremely rare: the cataloguer

knows of only six specimens as noted above. Both sides of this one are toned a deep olive brown. The surfaces are uni- formly porous and granular due principally to poor surface preparation when the strip was annealed. Fairly soft in the centers and around the peripheries, portions of the reverse legend illegible, date partially visible, bases of each numeral quite soft due to the beveling of the edge. Obverse rim dented at the lower left. (SEE COLOR PLATE)

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

Lot No. 157 Lot No. 158

157 1788 Cent. R.15-M. Extremely Fine for technical grade. Low Rarity-5. 141.1 gns. Nice somewhat glossy olive brown in color. Surfaces fairly porous particularly in the center of the obverse and the left side of the reverse. Struck through a remarkable flaw on the left side of the obverse, the rim dropping off like a shelf with an expanse of unstruck metal to its left. Centers sharp, nonetheless, CENT bold.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

158 1788 Cent. R.15-M. Choice Very Fine, near Extremely Fine. Low Rarity-5. 145.4 gns. Another. Light golden brown. Obverse and reverse surfaces quite porous particularly in the centers. Shallow obverse rim dent above ‘C’.

Ex Hillyer Ryder, F.C.C. Boyd.

- 64 —

COLUMBIA AND LADY WASHINGTON MEDALS, JOHN PAUL JONES MEDAL

Lot No. 161

Lot No. 159

Lot No. 160

All medals on this plate are shown enlarged.

65 —

.SO

THE JOHN J. FORD, JR. COLLECTION OF AMERICAN MEDALS

This is the first of an extensive series of sales of medals from the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection. These auctions, we are sure, will prove to be the most important of all that have ever crossed the auction block, eclipsing the Bushnell, W.W.C. Wilson, Garrett, Dreyfuss, and every other noted auction of medals that comes immediately to mind.

This first sale features Mr. Ford’s Mint medals in the series defined by Robert Julian as Naval, Personal, Commemo- rative, Mint & Treasury, and Life Saving. Included are medals not struck at the Mint but ones that properly belong in one of these series, such as the 1787 Columbia and Washington medals that can be classed as naval and the rescue medals for the wreck of the San Francisco that are as much life saving medals as any.

There are too many highlights to list here individually. In fact, the entire offering is composed of highlights, such as the Columbia and Washington medals already mentioned, the gold Carroll of Carrollton, the Rush medals in silver, and the remarkable series of silver Naval medals. There are great rarities to be had, and ones to be remembered long after the auction is finished.

John Ford is a great believer in medallic research and there is much to be learned from the medals he collected. He would be the first to agree, however, that there is yet more to be learned than this humble cataloguer has managed to include in the pages to follow. The entire question of the sequence of dies in the Diplomatic Medal series cries out for elucidation. This, perhaps the single most important of all our national medals, is little appreciated and less under- stood. Its literature is unclear and its exegesis obscure. The descriptions of the cliches and trials to follow are a first but imperfect step towards their rehabilitation. Much more work needs to be done on these and perhaps a monograph on the medal would not be too much to ask of its subject.

There will be many subsequent sales of Mr. Ford’s medals, not least among them specialized offerings of his early American historical medals (Betts) and his Indian Peace Medals. Both will, like the present catalogue and all those that have already been produced, become references to be consulted for years to come. Other future sales of Mr. Ford’s medals will include the balance of his Mint medals as described by Julian, his military medals, and his medals of west- ern American interest.

After merchants tokens, medals are Mr. Ford’s chief interest in numismatics. The contents of this, and the other sales to follow, proclaim how strong his love for these demanding series really is.

THE COLUMBIA AND LADY WASHINGTON MEDALS The First American Medals Struck After Independence For The First American Circumnavigation of the Globe

In 1787 Joseph Barrell, a Boston merchant, entered into a partnership with five other busi- nessmen to outfit a voyage of exploration and trade to the Far East. John Derby, a Salem shipmaster, Charles Bullfinch, Jr., an architect,

Captain Crowell Hatch, master of Cambridge,

Samuel Brown of Boston, and John Marden Pintard of the New York firm Louis Pintard &

Company capitalized the venture with $50,000 divided into 14 shares. Their mutual goal was to sail to the Pacific coast, buy sea otter skins there, sail them to Canton and sell them, and bring back to Boston a cargo of tea, chinaware, and silk bought with the proceeds.

The venture underwrote two voyages. The first, which lasted from 1787 until 1790, re- sulted in much adventure and the eventual first American circumnavigation of the globe.

The second, more profitable than the other, lasted from 1790 until 1793 and resulted in the discovery of the mouth of the river the voy- agers named the Columbia and the basis for the United States claim to the Oregon territory.

Two vessels were purchased for the venture. The Columbia Rediviva was a ship built in 1773 in Marshfield, Massa- chusetts. She mounted 12 guns and had a burthen of 212 tons with a crew of 50. Captain of the Columbia was John Kendrick of Wareham, Massachusetts. During the Revolution, Captain Kendrick had held letters of marque from

The Columbia and Lady Washington at harbor.

66

Massachusetts. He had commanded the privateer brigantine Fanny in 1777, captured two British sugar ships, and sold them in Nantes for 400,000 livres. In December, 1778 he had commanded the 16 gun brigantine privateer Count d’Es- taing. Two years later, he was in command of the 16 gun brigantine Marianne, possibly under letters of marque issued by Rhode Island. He was an experienced naval officer.

The second vessel purchased for the venture was the Lady Washington. She was a sloop of 90 tons commanded by Captain Robert Gray of Tiverton, Rhode Island. Gray was said to have been an officer in the Continental Navy and also to have served aboard a privateer during the war, but there is no evidence for this. He was selected as captain of the Ixidy Washington because he was known to two of the investors (he had earlier commanded a vessel owned by Crowell Hatch and Samuel Brown). The Lady Washington served as a tender for the Columbia.

The two vessels sailed on September 30, 1787 from Boston. After rounding Cape Horn in April, 1788 the two vessels separated. The Lady Washington reached Oregon first and spent the spring and summer of 1788 along the coast of Oregon up to Vancouver Island, exploring and trading with the indigenes. The Columbia arrived later. The crews spent the winter of 1788-89 aboard ship in Nootka Sound. In the spring of 1789 Captain Gray sailed north to Alaska and on his return to Nootka in July was given command of the Columbia, all the furs so far accumulated, and told to sail alone to Canton. Captain Kendrick transferred to the Lady Washington, sailed to Canton, failed to get good prices for his cargo, sold his ship to himself and never returned to Boston. His behavior is one of the great mysteries of the sea. Captain Gray in the Columbia stopped at Honolulu for provisions and water, reached China, sold his cargo of skins at a disadvantage because of the huge business taxes levied by the Chinese, and left China in February 1790. On his return to Boston in August he was given a grand parade through the streets as master of the first American vessel to sail around the world.

In 1790, Joseph Barrell fitted out a second expedition, placing Captain Gray in command. By April, 1791 Gray was anchored once again in Nootka Sound. He and his crew ruined previously cautious relations with the indigenes by their overbearing racist attitude, the public flogging for desertion of an Hawaiian boy they had pressed aboard in Hon- olulu on their first voyage in 1789, and a murderous attack on a village suspected of designs on the Americans. In the course of all this, Gray discovered the mouth of Columbia River in May, 1792 and spent the summer of 1792 trading along the coast. At the beginning of winter Gray stopped back at Nootka Sound and in October set sail for China. After stopping once again in Hawaii, Gray reached Canton in December, sold his furs at a much better rate than the first time, and in February 1793 left China, reaching Boston in June, 1793.

The two voyages of the Columbia and Lady Washington would be worthy of notice if for no other reason than their bare narrative. Numismatists are drawn to their history more particularly because the two vessels carried with them specimens of the first medal struck in America after Independence in 1783. Made to be “...distributed amongst the Na- tives on the North West Coast of America, and to commemorate the first American Adventure on the Pacific Ocean” (letter of Joseph Barrell to John Adams, November 24, 1787), the idea for such a medal was clearly suggested by the one struck earlier for the Royal Society in commemoration of Captain James Cook’s voyages of discovery.

The designer of the Columbia and Washington Medal is unknown. He may have been Joseph Callender, an appren- tice of Revere and die engraver to the Massachusetts state mint. At least 300 medals were struck but how many each in silver, copper and pewter is unknown. Anne Bentley of the Massachusetts Historical Society feels the best evidence suggests that only pewter pieces were shipped aboard for distribution on the voyage.

Joseph Barrell had trouble procuring the dies for the medals. The first pewter medals struck were loaded aboard the Columbia before she sailed on September 30, 1787. The reverse die seems to have failed very soon afterwards and the one cut to replace it was ruined by an accident around October 10-11. On November 7, 1787 Barrell wrote that he al- most despaired of ever striking more medals since the press had now broken and the pressmen were afraid of trying the third reverse on the repaired machine. The danger seems to have passed, however, for on November 24, 1787 Bar- rell presented medals to Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. The edges of the medals were rough and needed filing, however. Two years later, Paul Revere repaired the edges of 10 copper medals for Barrell.

Most of the 300 medals were probably struck in pewter. We know at least 10 were made in copper and a contempo- rary account states about a dozen were struck in silver, one being sent to George Washington. A letter published in the Philadelphia Independent Gazetteer dated October 9, 1787 mentions silver and copper medals were being struck to be carried with Captain Kendrick for distribution to native peoples met along the way to the Pacific. The letter writer de- scribes the types completely and so must have either seen a medal or its prototype. The only other reference of the pe- riod to silver medals is Barrell’s May, 1789 order to Revere for blanks for six silver medals.

The fact that medals were distributed during the first voyage is attested to by contemporaries. In 1789 a Dominican missionary friar in California wrote in his diary “...the said English American, named John Kendrig, had coined money in his name, and I had four pieces. On one side was a sea with two vessels, with the name of Washington, and on the other some letters that expressed the expedition he was going on to our continent.” In Hawaii, Englishman John H. Cox saw the medals in 1789, noting “...the medals, which are of pewter, and nearly the size of a crown piece, are very neatly executed.”

— 67 —

1787 COLUMBIA AND WASHINGTON MEDALS

The Lady Washington also carried Massachusetts copper coins, which were loaded aboard a few weeks before the issue was released for general circulation. The October 9, 1787 Independent Gazetteer letter mentioned above also states that copper Cents and Half Cents were to be carried aboard the vessels and describes the types on the coins. In the Columbia papers housed in the Oregon Historical Society the ships’ manifest of September 28, 1787 lists “pd on- board the Sloop [Lady Washington] 300 Medals 500 Cents & 500 half Cents // onboard the Ship [Columbia] medles Cents & half Cents.” After the vessels had departed, Joseph Barrell wrote to John Adams on November 24, 1787 say- ing “...we have also suffered no Coin but the Cents and half Cents of this State, and these Medals to go in the Vessells, none of which are to be parted with untill they have doubled Cape Horn... this was done that it might be known that American Adventurers had been there.” That some of the coppers were actually distributed is suggested by explorer Alexander MacKenzie’s 1793 report of a Massachusetts Half Cent in the possession of an Indian.

The best single source for the history of the venture is Voyages of the Columbia to the Northwest Coast, 1787-1790 & 1790-1793. Originally published by the Massachusetts Historical Society in 1941, this includes log books, narratives, and other contemporary documents edited by Frederic W. Holoway. The volumes were usefully reprinted in 1990 for the bicentennial of the first voyage jointly by the MHS and the Oregon Historical Society Press. The best source for the history of the medals is Anne Bentley’s “The Columbia-Washington Medal” in Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society 101 (1989, published in 1990).

There is just one obverse die known on the Columbia & Washington medals but two reverses (a third was cut but ap- parently failed immediately leaving no witness behind). The first reverse, which struck the pewter medals loaded aboard for the first voyage in 1787, shows a small star shaped object at the start of the circumferential legend. No copper or sil- ver medals are known struck from this reverse. The second, which struck the copper and silver medals and a single known specimen in pewter, shows a larger star shaped ornament at the beginning of the peripheral reverse legend.

There appear to have been two devices used to cut the planchets out of the strip from which they were formed. The edges of the silver and unique second reverse pewter medals in the lots to follow resemble the right side of a trapezoid in cross section, with the obverse on the shorter top surface, the reverse on the longer side. By contrast, the edges of the copper and first reverse pewter specimens are rounded in cross section. The significance of these observations, if any, is unknown.

EXCEPTIONALLY RARE SILVER 1787 COLUMBIA & WASHINGTON MEDAL

One of Just Six Known

Lot No. 159

159 1787 Columbia & Washington Medal. Silver. Strong Fine to Very Fine. 480.3 gns. 42.8 mm (vertical) x 42.5 mm

(horizontal). 2.2 - 2.3 mm. thick. Second reverse. No scoring lines on edge. Both sides are a nice, deep silver gray in color. On the obverse, the Lady Washington and the Columbia are both clear and bold, most of their sails show some de- tail, and portions of the rigging show on the former. There is considerable detail in the waves below. On the reverse, C.BUL are soft in the center hut most other letters there are clear and all of the peripheral ones are bold. A couple of very minor rim nicks, one obverse dent at about 6:30. No obvious die breaks on either side. No signs of reverse die damage.

Exceptionally rare: the cataloguer knows of only six of these, including 1) Massachusetts Historical Society, 449.4 gns., a lustrous Choice About Uncirculated ex W.S. Appleton in 1905; 2) Richard August, 413.7 gns., Choice About Uncir- culated, ex Dr. Paul Patterson; 3) Oregon Historical Society, 435.0 gns., ex Captain Robert Gray; 4) Winterthur Museum, Very Fine to Extremely Fine, ex Alexander O. Vietor Estate; 5) this specimen; 6) Fine, ex W.W.C. Wilson Collection (Wayte Raymond, November 16, 1925, lot 818). (SEE COLOR PIRATE)

Ex Edward Eberstadt & Sons Americana Catalogue 157, lot 7, on January 19, 1962.

Please see lot .162 for a Continental Loa n Office Bill of Exchange dated 1 780 arid payable to Joseph Barrell, leading partner of the businessmen who outfitted this voyage of trade and exploration.

68

EXCEPTIONALLY RARE SILVER 1787 COLUMBIA AND WASHINGTON MEDAL

The medal on this plate is shown enlarged.

— 69 —

1787 COLUMBIA AND WASHINGTON MEDALS

EXTREMELY RARE COPPER 1787 COLUMBIA & WASHINGTON MEDAL

Lot No. 1 60

160 1787 Columbia & Washington Medal. Copper. Uncirculated, red and brown. Prooflike. 421.4 gns. 40.3 mm

(vertical) x 40.4 mm (horizontal). 2.4 - 2.6 mm. thick. Second reverse. No scoring lines on edge. A marvelous specimen, quite probably the finest known in this metal. The obverse and reverse are both light brown with some areas on the front darker and interesting olive mottling visible on the back. There are considerable traces of original mint red around both vessels on the obverse and portions of the legend on that side. The vessels are sharp and bold, all the sails show detail, the rigging is clear, and the pennants flying from the tops of the masts of both are bold. The fields are smooth, somewhat satiny and show their original light reflectivity. Centers sharp, all letters in the legends on both sides are clear and fully legible. No rim nicks or marks requiring mention, some light scuffs and a few very faint pin scratches at the lower left on the reverse. The United States flag flying from the stern of the Lady Washington is quite sharp. No obvious die breaks on either side. No signs of reverse die damage.

Extremely rare: the cataloguer knows of only five of these, including 1) Massachusetts Historical Society, 407.4 gns., polished About Uncirculated ex Joseph Barrell in 1791; 2) 431.3 gns., Fine to Very Fine ex Hall, Brand, Boyd, Ford, Bow- ers (1990), RCR 95 (September/October, 1993, p.53) at $3,995 as Very Fine-30; 3) this specimen; 4) Very Fine, Dave Bow- ers ex J.W. Adams, Garrett: 1960, Woodward’s 69th Sale; 5) found in the attic of Gore Hall, Harvard ( AJN July 1897). The two in the Tillamook County (Oregon) Historical Society weigh 501.0 gns. and 589.0 gns. and have specific gravity readings of 9.29 and 7.35, respectively. These parameters are anomalous and these specimens should be examined for au- thenticity. (SEE COLOR PLATE)

Ex Joseph Lepczyk’s sale of December 9, 1980, lot 829 (LaRiviere the underbidder); earlier, ex Howard Kurth, Barney Bluestone’s sale of September 20, 1946, lot 764 as Unc.

- 70 —

EXTREMELY RARE COPPER 1787 COLUMBIA AND WASHINGTON MEDAL

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No. 160

EXTREMELY RARE PEWTER 1787 COLUMBIA AND WASHINGTON MEDAL

Lot No.

Both medals on this plate are shown enlarged.

— 71 —

1787 COLUMBIA AND WASHINGTON MEDALS

EXTREMELY RARE PEWTER 1787 COLUMBIA & WASHINGTON MEDAL

A Gem First Reverse Specimen

Lot No. 161

161 1787 Columbia & Washington Medal. Pewter. Choice Uncirculated, prooflike. 436.2 gns. 41.0 mm (vertical) x

40.8 mm (horizontal). 3.0 - 3.4 mm. thick. First reverse. No scoring lines on edge. A remarkable example. Both the ob- verse and reverse show bright reflectivity with some mirror surface remaining in the fields, particularly around the pe- ripheries. The bright and shiny surfaces of the piece remind the cataloguer of the magnificent pewter E.G. FECIT Continental Dollar offered in the first of the Ford Collection sales. The obverse and reverse are both lightly toned in pale gray with some areas of darker gray-brown on the obverse and a couple of shallow, relatively insignificant, areas of tin pest on the reverse. Extremely sharp everywhere with all the detail in the dies clear and bold even in the center of the re- verse and around the periphery on that side. No obvious die breaks on either side. No signs of reverse die damage.

Extremely rare: the cataloguer has traced only six of these in pewter from the first reverse, including 1) Massachu- setts Historical Society, 432.5 gns., Extremely Fine, ex Chauncy Charles Nash (1962), Richard Townley Haines Halsey, a grandson of James Briggs; 2) American Numismatic Society, 606.5 gns.; 3) American Numismatic Society, 423.3 gns.; 4) this specimen; 5) Murdoch:910, heavy tin pest both sides; 6) Frossard’s 104th Sale (1891), Uncirculated, slightly off cen- ter on the obverse. (SEE COLOR PLATE)

Ex Stack’s, May 20, 1986 for $5,000.

EXTREMELY RARE PEWTER 1787 COLUMBIA & WASHINGTON MEDAL Apparently Unique From the Second Reverse

Lot No. 1 62

162 1787 Columbia & Washington Medal. Pewter. Very Fine, with some claims to Extremely Fine. 456.3 gns. 42.0 mm

(vertical) x 42.0 mm (horizontal). 2.8 - 3.2 mm. thick. Second reverse. No scoring lines on edge. Traces of original lustre can be seen in the protected areas on both sides. Fairly banged up, one serious edge flaw most visible on the reverse at 1:00, rim test cut on obverse at 2:00 (for some unknown reason, as there is no way anyone could have assumed this might have been silver). Toned in a light pewter gray with areas of bright silver showing principally in the protected portions of the obverse and reverse. No obvious die breaks on either side. No signs of reverse die damage. Unique: the cataloguer knows of no other pewter specimen struck from the second reverse. (SEE COLOR PLATE)

Ex Waytr Raymond Estate..

— 72 —

Lot No. 163

SILVER CAPTAIN JOHN PAUL JONES MEDAL

The medal on this plate is shown enlarged.

— 73

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UNITED STATES NAVAL MEDALS

UNITED STATES NAVAL MEDALS

Struck by Order of the Congress and At the Direction of the President By the Royal Mint, Paris

SILVER CAPTAIN JOHN PAUL JONES MEDAL U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard v. H.M.S. Serapis, 1779

Lot No. 163

163 Captain John Paul Jones. U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard (42) v. H.M.S. Serapis (44), September 23, 1779. Sil- ver. Choice About Uncirculated. Julian NA.l, Betts 568, Loubat 17. 1,679.9 gns. 56.5 mm. 4.0 - 4.8 mm. thick. No witness line (collar expansion line) on edge. A really lovely example of this rare medal in silver. The obverse is toned in a deep coin silver gray with areas of iridescent blue showing. The reverse, in contrast, is a combination of light rose and pale gray with a few touches of iridescent blue here and there. There is one obverse edge dent visible at about 4:00, a more shallow one at 9:00, and a few other, comparatively minor, rim and edge imperfections elsewhere. The surfaces on both sides are quite clear and essentially unmarred. The reverse pictures the moment when the Bon Homme Richard, riddled with shot and in danger of breaking up, boarded HMS Serapis and took her over. Jones’s men can be seen lining up to charge across the decks onto the enemy vessel in the middle foreground. No obvious obverse breaks. Reverse rim crumbling from 11:00-1:00.

Extremely rare: the only naval medal authorized by the Continental Congress and the only Revolutionary War naval medal. There may be only five or six of these known. There is one in silver in the Massachusetts Historical Society’s col- lection but not in the collection of the American Numismatic Society. There was no silver John Paul Jones medal in the Garrett, Dreyfuss, Ambassador Middendorf, Kessler-Spangenberger, or Bushnell sales. The one in the W.W.C. Wilson sale (1925) was engraved on the edge as a marriage medal. With its original square, gilt stamped black leather over wood case of issue, white plush lined, from the Paris Mint. (SEE COLOR PLATE )

Ex Wayle Raymond Estate.

U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard was a French 42 gun armed merchantman of 998 tons built in 1766. Formerly named Le Due de Duras, she was loaned to the Continental Congress by France on February 4, 1779 and commissioned into the U.S. Navy in May, 1779. She foundered in the North Sea on September 25, 1779. The ship’s complement consisted of 320 men.

H.M.S. Serapis was a Roebuck class two-decker Fifth Rate frigate of 44 guns. Ordered on February 2, 1778 her keel was laid by Randall of Rotherhithe on March 3 of that year and she was launched a year and a day later. Her main gundeck carried 20 18-pounders, the upper gundeck had 22 9-pounders and the forecastle bore two 6-pounders. Following her capture by Jones off Flamborough Head on September 23, 1779 she was commissioned the next day into the French navy. She was seized by the Dutch at Texel in October, 1779 and wrecked off Madagascar two years later.

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SILVER SHELL COMMODORE EDWARD PREBLE MEDAL

SILVER CAPTAIN WILLIAM BAINBRIDGE MEDAL

Both medals on this plate are shown enlarged.

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UNITED STATES NAVAL MEDALS

UNITED STATES NAVAL MEDALS

Struck by Order of the Congress and At the Direction of the President

By the United States Mint

SILVER SHELL COMMODORE EDWARD PREBLE MEDAL

U.S. Naval Squadron Before Tripoli, 1804

Lot No. 1 64

164 Commodore Edward Preble. United States Naval Squadron Before Tripoli, July 9 to September 10, 1804. Silver shells. Choice About Uncirculated. J.NA.3, L.23, Witham pi. 8. 913.5 gns. 64.8 mm. Rims 4.5 - 4.7 mm thick. Closure seam on edge at 5:45. The obverse is toned in an attractive light coin silver gray with areas of iridescent green and pale yellow. The reverse, in contrast, is a uniform pale golden yellow color overlying light silver gray. The rims are darker in tone and serve to frame both faces. The surfaces are remarkably clear and smooth for such a delicate piece as this shell medal. The reverse scene shows Preble’s squadron bombarding a fortress protecting the harbor at Tripoli. Extremely rare: one of just two known, the other reported (2004) to the writer by John Kraljevich as among Thomas Jefferson’s effects at Monticello.

Struck from the perfect, uninjured die before the reverse rim had begun crumbling from 10-1:00 (see next two lots). Com- posed of two silver shells struck from the obverse and reverse dies, held together by a two part rim, the outer band of which was closed at 5:45. The cataloguer suggests the silver shell Preble medals were struck during Jefferson’s second presidency at about the same time the gold and solid silver medals were struck and presented (1806-7). The dies as they appear on the shells look to be in the earliest states known, as they were injured in the British capture of Washington in 1814 and were lost about 1820. When rediscovered in the Navy Department in 1827, where they were being used as paperweights, they were damaged. (SEE COLOR PLATE)

Ex an unknown retail customer to Brigandi’s, Alan Weinberg for $200, David Drey fuss for $5,500, Drey fuss Collection (Bowers & Merena and Presiden- tial Coin and Antique Company, April 12, 1986, lot 5298 at $4,400), to Stack’s via intermediaries, to John Ford in 1998 at $8,800.

The action before Tripoli in 1804 was protracted and somewhat indecisive. Its military objectives were partially ob- tained but as a projection of American sea power into European waters, even if Mediterranean, it was a grand success. Coming a mere 21 years after American independence had been widely recognized, it marked a very mature foreign policy step for such a young nation.

Edward Maclay describes salient parts of the action in his History of the Navy (1898) this way: “The results [of the first day’s bombardment of the fortress of Tripoli on August 3] had been satisfactory in every respect, and thenceforth the enemy could not be induced to engage the Americans in a hand-to-hand encounter, a species of warfare in which Mussulmans had been deemed most formidable. Twice their five gunboats and two galleys, composing the center division and the reserve, at- tempted to row out to the assistance of their comrades at the eastern passage, and both times they were driven back by the brigs and schooners. The shore batteries had been thoroughly battered, and about fifty shells were dropped in the town. At times the Constitution was within two cable lengths of the rocks and within three cable lengths of the batteries, all of which were silenced the moment her guns were brought to bear, but when she passed out of range they opened again.

The frigate was most exposed when wearing and tacking, and the need of another heavy frigate was felt. The manner in which the Constitution was handled during this fight excited the admiration of all witnesses, especially the American pris- oners in Tripoli. The frigate boldly stood into the harbor, deliberately shortened sail, with the men on the yards and everything going on as calmly as if in a friendly harbor. Then she would come to and discharge her formidable broadside with great effect.

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UNITED STATES NAVAL MEDALS

EDWARD PUEULE.

Of the enemy’s nineteen gunboats, three were sunk in the harbor, while the decks of several were nearly cleared of men by shot, and many ships in the harbor were injured. The two gunboats captured by Captain Decatur had thirty-three officers and men killed, and twenty-seven pris- oners were taken in them, nineteen of whom were wounded. The prize of Sailing-Master John Trippe lost fourteen killed, and twenty-two pris- oners were taken, seven of whom were wounded. Many Tripolitans were wounded and drowned, of whom no accurate list or es- timate can be made. The American loss was one killed, Lieutenant James De- catur, and thirteen wounded. Gunboat No. 5,

Midshipman Joseph Bain- bridge, had her main-yard shot away, while the rigging and sails of the brigs and schooners were considerably cut.

The Constitution, al- though exposed to the fire of the enemy’s batteries fully two hours, had only one man wounded. A 24-pound shot passed nearly through the cen- ter of the mainmast, thirty feet from the deck, the main royal yard and sail were shot away, while two lower shrouds, two backstays, and some running rigging were cut through. Captain Preble himself had a narrow escape. While the ship was wearing, a 32-pound shot came through a stern port on a direct line for his body, but fortunately it struck on the breech of a quarter-deck gun, and broke into fragments that flew about the quarter-deck, which was crowded with men. Only one marine, how- ever, was hurt by it. The officers who were especially mentioned for their gallantry in this brilliant affair, besides those already named, were Lieutenant Charles Gordon, Captain John Hall and Second-Lieutenant Robert Greenleaf, of the marines, Midship-

ISAAC CUAUNOET.

men Jonathan Thorn, Thomas Macdonough, Nathaniel Harriden.

Charles Goodwin Ridgeley and William Miller, and Sailing-Master

At the time of this attack [the second assault, August 7] Keith Spence, the father of Midshipman Robert T.

Spence, was a prisoner in Tripoli. The brother of Mid- shipman Joseph Bainbridge, Captain William Bain- bridge, also was a prisoner in Tripoli, and was nearly killed by a heavy shot that struck the Bashaw’s cas- tle. It is said that several other men in the American squadron also had relatives who were prisoners in Tripoli, and the Bashaw kept them in his castle and took pains to inform Captain Preble of that fact, hop- ing it would divert shot to other parts of the town. But Captain Bainbridge wrote, through the assistance of Mr. Nissen, urging the Americans to fire at the Bashaw’s castle, as that was the best means of annoy- ing him and bringing him to terms.

While the bombardment was in progress [on Au- gust 7] a sail hove in sight, which proved to be a large man-of-war, and soon afterward it showed a square blue flag with a red cross on it, which was the signal of the 28-gun frigate John Adams, Master-Comman- dant Isaac Chauncey, bringing news of the promotion of Decatur to be captain, and Lieutenants Stewart, Hull, Smith and Somers to be masters-commandant. Captain Preble was advised of re-enforcements consisting of four frigates, under Captain Samuel Barron, which would arrive shortly. This determined him to postpone further attack until the arrival of his successor....

AIAjIEK!* biATl VEAKtt AUO.

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UNITED STATES NAVAL MEDALS

After vainly waiting two weeks for the relief squadron, Captain Preble on the night of the 24th [of August] ad- vanced to the third attack. In this engagement the John Adams was of little service, as she had left her gun car- riages to be forwarded in the other ships. By 2 A.M., August 25th, the smaller vessels had secured their positions and opened fire. The Constitution was unable to get in range for lack of wind, and at break of day the ships with- di'ew, having sustained little injury, and, as it afterward appeared, caused less. The shells used during these bom- bardments, purchased at Messina, proved to be of very inferior quality. Captain Bainbridge, in his journal, records that out of the forty-eight shells thrown on the 7th, only one exploded. Captain Preble afterward discovered that many of the bombs had had lead poured into the fuses, which was supposed to have been done by French agents in Sicily, as the bombs were originally purchased to resist an expected French invasion.

These spirited attacks, however, had such a salutary effect on the Bashaw’s resentment against the Americans that he now reduced his demand for ransom to five hundred dollars a man, or half of his figures on the 7th of the same month. Captain Preble rejected the terms, and on the 28th prepared for a still more vigorous attack. While the larger vessels were to engage the batteries, the eight gunboats, under Captain Decatur, were to direct their atten- tion to the thirteen Tripolitan galleys, gunboats Nos. 2 and 3 on this occasion being commanded by Lieutenant Charles Gordon of the marines and Sailing-Master Brooks of the Argus. After taking their places within pistol shot of the rocks on the night of August 28th, the larger gunboats, at three o’clock in the morning of the 29th, opened a heavy fire, covered by the Siren, Master-Commandant Charles Stewart; the Argus, Master-Commandant Isaac Hull; the Vixen, Master-Commandant John Smith; the Nautilus, Lieutenant Reed; and the Enterprise, Lieutenant Thomas Robinson.

The attack on the galleys was made with great spirit, and one of them was sunk, two were compelled to run ashore, and the others were put to a disorderly flight. On the approach of day Captain Decatur’s flotilla was sig- naled to retire, while the Constitution ran within musket shot of the mole to cover the retreat. Here the frigate re- mained three quarters of an hour, pouring in a tremendous fire of more than three hundred round shot, besides sweeping the parapets with grape and canister. The gunboats having reached a place of safety, Captain Preble re- tired to his anchorage.

The enemy suffered heavily in this attack. A large galliot belonging to Tunis was sunk at the mole, while the Tripolitan galleys and gunboats were badly cut up and lost many men. The gunboats, after the flight of the galleys, ran close up to the town and fired upward of four hundred round shot, while the Constitution’s cannonading so de- moralized the Turks that their fire was ineffectual. The Constitution had several shot through her sails, and a few shrouds, stays, trusses, chains and lifts of the main yard were carried away, while grapeshot struck different parts of her hull. None of the seamen, however, were injured. A boat belonging to the John Adams, manned by Master’s- Mate John Orde Creighton and eight men, while in tow of the Nautilus, was sunk by a double-headed shot, which killed three men and severely wounded one. The only injury that the gunboats received was in their sails.

For about a week after this attack the squadron was deterred from resuming the bombardment by unfavorable winds, but at 2.30 P. M. on the 3d of September the gunboats, under the command of Captain Decatur and Master- Commandant Richard Somers, were ordered to engage the Tripolitan flotilla. The latter opened a hot fire on the ad- vancing Americans until within musket shot, when the Tripolitan vessels fled. The Constitution made for the batteries, and when within grapeshot distance opened her broadside against the enemy’s seventy guns. After firing three hundred round shot and sweeping the batteries with grape and canister, Captain Preble signaled the boats to withdraw, and soon followed them.

In this attack about fifty shells and four hundred round shot, besides grape and canister, were fired at the enemy. The frigate suffered heavily in her rigging, but nothing larger than a grape-shot struck her hull. The bombards and gunboats also sustained considerable damage, chiefly in their rigging. Sailing-Master Trippe resumed the command of gunboat No. 6, and Midshipman Charles Morris had charge of gunboat No. 3. Gunboat No.l became so leaky as to require constant baling, while every shroud was carried away. Although in the attacks that were made after the ar- rival of the John Adams that ship was unable to participate for want of gun carriages, yet Master-Commandant Chauncey and his men were actively engaged in the Constitution and gave valuable assistance.”

The Tripolitan War dragged on in an indecisive way and American prisoners continued to languish in Tripoli’s dungeons. However, by the summer of 1805 American naval power in the Mediterranean included the heavy frigates President, Constitution, Congress, Constellation, and the light frigate Essex-, the 16-gun brigs Siren and Argus; and three 12-gun schooners (including Enterprise) together with the 10-gun sloop Hornet and smaller gunboats and bom- bards. These vessels represented the largest naval force yet assembled under the flag of the United States.

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UNITED STATES NAVAL MEDALS

A PAIR OF COPPER BRONZED COMMODORE EDWARD PREBLE MEDALS

Lot No. 1 65

165 Commodore Edward Preble. United States Naval Squadron Before Tripoli, July 9 to September 10, 1804.

Original dies. Copper, bronzed. Choice About Uncirculated. J.NA.3, L.23. 1,443.8 gns. 64.3 mm. 3.8 - 4.0 mm. thick. No witness line. Light orange tan finish. No important surface defects requiring mention. Struck from the perfect obverse state. Reverse rim crumbling from 10-12:30 filed down at the mint.

Ex Coin Galleries on October 27, 1967.

Lot No. 166

166 Commodore Edward Preble. United States Naval Squadron Before Tripoli, July 9 to September 10, 1804.

Original dies. Copper, bronzed. Sharpness of Extremely Fine. J.NA.3, L.23. 1,381.0 gns. 64.1 mm. 3.6 - 4.0 mm. thick. No witness line. Darker orange tan finish. Many obverse nicks, net grade of Very Good. Once cleaned, since retoned. State of the reverse rim at the top about as seen on the original bronze offered in the preceding lot, although the rims of both had been ground down at the Mint.

Ex Wayte Raymond Estate.

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UNITED STATES NAVAL MEDALS

SILVER CAPTAIN WILLIAM BAINBRIDGE MEDAL U.S.S. Constitution v. H.M.S. Java, 1812

Lot No. 167

167 Captain William Bainbridge. U.S.S. Constitution (44) v. H.M.S. Java (49), December 29, 1812. Silver. Choice About Uncirculated. Prooflike. J.NA.4, L.28, Neuzil 24. 1,918.7 gns. 64.5 mm. 4.0 - 4.25 mm. thick. Witness line 12:00 (from obverse). Both the obverse and reverse are bright silver in color. The fields are brilliant and fully mirrorlike with remarkable flash visible on both. Some hairlines, particularly in the upper right obverse field, very minor rim tics, partic- ularly on the reverse. The reverse shows the USS Constitution standing over her fallen foe, HMS Java, which has been completely dismasted.

Extremely rare: there is no published census for the Bainbridge medal in silver. Carlson (1986) noted finding no auc- tion records for a specimen. The only other one the cataloguer can remember seeing, the Dreyfuss:5302 example, was bought for Ambassador Middendorf. There was none in either the Garrett or Bushnell sales. When Mr. Ford bought this medal his friend and fellow collector Ted Craige determined its specific gravity to be 10.50. Two step rim, risers of both parallel the edge, tops of both perpendicular to it. (SEE COLOR PLATE)

Ex Eric Vaule, December 8, 1966.

There is no better known ship in the active U.S. Navy than the U.S.S. Con- stitution. A United States class 44-gun heavy frigate of 2,200 tons designed by Joshua Humphreys, her keel was laid in November, 1794 by George Claghorn of Boston and she was launched on October 21, 1797. Commissioned on July 22, 1798, she is still carried on the Navy List. Her armament varied during the war but may be described chronologically as: (1812) 30 24-pounders, 1 18-pounder, 24 32-pound carronades; (1812) 32 24-pounders and 22 42-pound carronades; (1814) 31 24-pounders and 20 32-pound carronades. U.S.S. Constitution was rated for a ship’s company of 420 men.

H.M.S. Java was a captured French (La Renomme) Fifth Rate of 38 guns and 1,038 tons. Built at Nantes and launched ca. 1811, she had been taken off Mada- gascar on May 20, 1811. She carried 28 18-pounders on her upper deck, 14 32- pounders on her quarterdeck, two 9- and two 32-pounders on her forecastle.

H.M.S. Java lost 23 of her ship’s company of 377, including her captain, Henry Lambert, who died of wounds received on December 29. Lambert had entered the navy in 1795, was promoted lieutenant 1801, commander in 1803, reaching captain’s rank in 1804. He had been captured by the French in 1810 at Grand Port and later paroled. He was buried at San Salvador. H.M.S. Java had aboard Lieutenant General Sir Thomas Hislop and his staff, on their way to Bombay. Hislop (1764-1843) served at the siege of Gibraltar 1779-83 and as commander of the 39th Foot at the capture of Demerara and Essequibo in 1796. Present at the capture of Guadeloupe in 1809, appointed lieutenant gov- ernor of Trinidad (1803-1811), Hislop was created baronet and commander in chief (1813) at Madras. He led the army of the Deccan in the Maharatta War 1817-1818, receiving the GCB in 1818.

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UNITED STATES NAVAL MEDALS

Lossing (1868) described the action as follows: “...at about nine o’clock in the morning.. .about thirty miles from shore, southeast- erly of San Salvador, Bainbridge discovered two vessels in shore and to the windward. The larger one was seen to alter her course, with an evident desire for a meeting with the Constitution. The latter was willing to gratify her, and for that purpose tacked and stood toward the stranger. At meridian they both showed their colors and displayed signals, but the latter were mutually unintelligi- ble. The stranger was seen to be an English frigate. Bainbridge at once prepared for action, when the Englishman hauled down his colors, but left a jack flying. Both ships ran upon the same tack, about a mile apart, when, at almost two o’clock, the British frigate bore down upon the Constitution with the intention of raking her. The latter wore and avoided the calamity, and at two o’clock, both ships being on the same tack, the Constitution fired a single gun across the enemy’s bow to draw out her ensign again.

A general cannonade from both vessels immediately ensued, and a furious battle was commenced. When it had raged half an hour the wheel of the Constitution was shot away, and her antag- onist, being the better sailer, had a great advantage for a time.

But Bainbridge managed his crippled ship with such skill that she was the first in coming to the wind on the other tack, and speed- ily obtained a position for giving her opponent a terrible raking fire. The combatants now ran free with the wind on their quarter, the stranger being to the windward of the Constitution. At about three o’clock the stranger attempted to close by running down on the Constitution ’s quarter. Her jib-boom penetrated the latter’s mizzen rigging, but suffered most severely without receiving the least advantage. She lost her jib-boom and the head of her bowsprit by shots from the Constitution, and in a few minutes the latter poured a heavy raking broadside into the stern of her an- tagonist. This was followed by another, when the fore-mast of the English frigate went by the board, crashing through the forecastle and main deck in its passage.

At that moment the Constitution shot ahead, keeping away to avoid being raked, and finally, after maneuvering for the greater part of an hour, she forereached her antagonist, wore, passed her, and luffed up under her quarter. Then the two vessels lay broad- side to broadside, engaged in deadly conflict, yard-arm to yard-arm. Very soon the enemy’s mizzen-mast was shot away, leaving nothing standing but the main-mast, whose yard had been carried away near the slings. The stranger’s fire now ceased, and the Constitution passed out of the combat of almost two hours’ duration at a few minutes past four o’clock, with the impression on the mind of her commander that the colors of the English frigate had been struck.

Being in a favorable weatherly position, Bainbridge occupied an hour in repairing damages and securing his masts, when he ob- served an ensign still fluttering on board of his antagonist. He immediately ordered the Constitution to wear round and renew the conflict. Perceiving this movement, the Englishman hauled down his colors, and at six o’clock in the evening First Lieutenant George Parker was sent on board to inquire her name and to take possession of her as a prize. She proved to be the Java, 38, Cap- tain Henry Lambert, and one of the finest frigates in the British navy. She was bearing, as passenger to the East Indies, Lieutenant General Hyslop...and his staff, Captain Marshall and Lieutenant Saunders, of the Royal Navy, and more than one hundred other of- ficers and men destined for service in the East Indies.

The Java was a wreck. Her main-mast had gone overboard during the hour that Bainbridge was repairing. Her mizzen-mast was shot out of the ship close by the deck, and the fore-mast was carried away about twenty-five feet above it. The bowsprit was cut off near the cap, and she was found to be leaking badly on account of wounds in her hull by round shot. The Constitution was very much cut in her sails and rigging. Many of her spars were injured, but not one was lost. She went into the action with her royal yards across, and came out of it with all three of them in their proper places.

There are conflicting accounts concerning the loss of the Java in men. Her commander, Captain Lambert, was mortally wounded, and her other officers were cautious about the number of her men and her casualties. According to a muster-roll found on board of her, made out five days after she sailed, her officers and crew numbered four hundred and forty-six. These were exclusive of the more than one hundred passengers, many of whom assisted in the engagement, and of whom thirteen were killed. The British published account states the loss of men on the Java to have been twenty-two killed, and one hundred and one wounded. This was, doubtless, below the real number. Indeed, Bainbridge enclosed to the Secretary of the Navy evidences of a much larger loss in wounded. It was a letter, written by one of the officers of the Java to a friend, and accidentally dropped on the deck of the Constitution, where it was found and handed to Bainbridge. The writer, who had no motive of public policy for concealing any thing from his friend, stated the loss to be sixty-five killed, and one hundred and seventy wounded. The Constitution lost only nine killed and twenty-five wounded. Bainbridge was slightly hurt in the hip by a musket-ball; and the shot that carried away the wheel of the Constitution drove a small copper bolt into his thigh, which inflicted a dangerous wound, but did not cause him to leave the deck before midnight.

The Java, as has been observed, was a superior frigate of her class. She was rated at thirty-eight, but carried forty-nine. The Con- stitution carried at that time forty-five guns, and had one man less at each than the Java. On the whole, the preponderance of strength was with the latter. Bainbridge might have saved the hull of his prize by taking it into San Salvador, but, having proof that the Brazilian government was favorable to that of Great Britain, he would not trust the captured frigate there. He was too far from home to think of conducting her to an American port; so, after lying by the Java for two days, until the wounded and prisoners, with their baggage, could all be transferred to the Constitution, he ordered the battered frigate to be fired. She blew up on the 31st....”

— 81 —

UNITED STATES NAVAL MEDALS

SILVER CAPTAIN JOHNSTON BLAKELY MEDAL U.S.S. Wasp v. H.M.S. Reindeer, 1814

Lot No. 1 68

168 Captain Johnston Blakely. U.S.S. Wasp (18) v. H.M.S. Reindeer (18), June 28, 1814. Silver. Uncirculated. Prooflike. J.NA.6, L.38, N.26. 1,976.1 gns. 65.0 mm. 4.0 mm. thick. Witness line 12:00 (from obverse). A lovely example. The obverse and reverse are both toned in a rich coin silver gray shade with areas of pale iridescent blue and gold show- ing, particularly on the reverse. The fields are bright and reflective, nearly fully mirrorlike. Some minor hairlines are noted but the rims are remarkably clean and free from annoying tics. The reverse shows the Wasp and Reindeer trading broadsides. Extremely rare: Carlson (1986) noted one auction record at the time. The cataloguer has seen two others, the Uncirculated Dreyfuss:5306 to Middendorf:8 specimen and the About Uncirculated example in PCAC’s Great West- ern Sale (1987). Specific gravity 10.50 per Ted Craige in 1966. Two step rim, riser of first parallel to the edge, riser of sec- ond slopes up, tops of both perpendicular to the edge. (SEE COLOR PLATE)

Ex Frank Racine, November 16, 1966.

U.S.S. Wasp was a Wasp class 18-gun sloop of war displacing 509 tons. Her keel was laid in 1813 by Cross & Merrill of Newburyport and she was launched on Sep- tember 21, 1813 and commissioned May 1, 1814. She carried three 12-pounders and 19 32-pound carronades. Her ship’s company was 140 men. U.S.S. Wasp disap- peared in the North Atlantic sometime after October 10, 1814.

H.M.S. Reindeer was a Cruiser class brig sloop of 18 guns and 385 tons. Her keel was laid in 1804 by Brent of Rotherhithe and she was launched on August 15, 1804. She had a single gundeck with two 6-pounders and 16 32-pounders. Commander W. Manners with Lieutenant R. Chambers commanding. Lost 25 of 118 ship’s company. Captured in the Channel, burnt as it was too badly damaged to salvage. June 28, 1814.

Lossing (1868) describes their engagement in these words: “Captain Johnston Blakely left the harbor of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on the 1st of May, 1814, in command of the new sloop-of-war Wasp, 18, and soon appeared in the chops of the British Channel. There he spread terror among the merchant ships and the people of the seaport towns, and revived painful recollections of the exploits of the Argus. On the morning of the 28th of June, while some distance at sea, the Wasp was chased by two vessels. These were joined by a third at ten o’clock, when the fore- most one showed English colors. After a good deal of maneuvering until a little past three o’clock in the afternoon, when the foe was within sixty yards of the Wasp and on her weather-quarter, the former opened fire with a 12-pound carronade, and gave four heavy discharges of round and grape shot before her antagonist could bring one of her guns to bear. At about half past three the Wasp opened fire, and in a few min- utes the action became very severe. Several times the men of the stranger attempted to board the Wasp, but were repulsed. Her crew finally boarded the stranger, and at the end of twenty-eight minutes after the combat commenced the latter was a prize to the Wasp.

— 82 —

UNITED STATES NAVAL MEDALS

The vanquished vessel was the British sloop-of-war Reindeer, Captain William Manners. She was terribly shattered. Her people had fought bravely, and her captain and purser (Barton), and twenty-three others, were killed, and forty-two were wounded. The Wasp was hulled six times, but was not very seriously damaged. Her loss was five men killed and twenty-two wounded. She was every way the su- perior of the Reindeer. She was new, mounted twenty 32-pound carronades and two long guns, and her complement was one hundred and seventy-three men. That of the Reindeer was only one hundred and eighteen. Blakely put some of his wounded prisoners on a neu- tral vessel, and with the remainder sailed for L’Orient, where he arrived on the 8th of July. He had burned the wrecked Reindeer. For his gallant conduct on this occasion Congress voted him a gold medal.”

Lot No. 169

169 Captain Stephen Decatur, Jr. U.S.S. United States (44) v. H.M.S. Macedonian (49), October 25, 1812. Original dies. Copper, bronzed. Uncirculated. J.NA.9, L.27, N.29. 2,087.1 gns. 65.1 mm. 4.3 - 4.9 mm. thick. Witness line 5:15 (from ob- verse). Mahogany surface finish. No important defects requiring specific mention. Struck from the broken state of the reverse, cracked from rim at 6:15 in to center of waves, above; rim crumbling above GNUM H; center of die appears to be sinking. Two step rim, riser of first parallel to the edge, riser of second slopes up, tops of both perpendicular to the edge (like NA.6, above). The reverse shows the heavy frigate USS United States on the right dismasting the British frigate Macedonian on the left.

Pedigree unrecorded.

SILVER CAPTAIN JOHNSTON BLAKELY MEDAL

SILVER CAPTAIN ISAAC HULL MEDAL

•$.£NTO

INTER CdW.NAV. AMER ^ ET ©UER.ANa. A

No. 171

Hath medals on this plate are shown enlarged.

— 84 —

SILVER MASTER COMMANDANT THOMAS MACDONOUGH MEDAL

INTER CLASS. AMERI. VjJET BRIT. DIE XI KEPT. \ hi?/'* MDCCCXnil <

'ffiJ t fit' \ [ mill i 1 Httii \r ■» 4itlwJnifL V	A	i
v: _	\ . V

The medal on this plate is shown enlarged.

— 85 —

SECOND SILVER MASTER COMMANDANT MACDONOUGH MEDAL

SILVER MASTER COMMANDANT OLIVER H. PERRY MEDAL

Both medals on this plate are shown enlarged.

86 —

SILVER CAPTAIN CHARLES STEWART MEDAL

SECOND SILVER CAPTAIN CHARLES STEWART MEDAL

Both medals on this plate are shown enlarged.

87 —

LIEUTENANT ROBERT HENLEY’S OWN GOLD MEDAL

The medal on this plate is shown enlarged.

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UNITED STATES NAVAL MEDALS

LIEUTENANT ROBERT HENLEY’S OWN GOLD MEDAL Battle of Lake Champlain, 1814

Lot No. no

170 Lieutenant Robert Henley. Captain of U.S.S. Eagle, Battle of Lake Champlain, September 11, 1814. Gold. Uncirculated. Prooflike. J.NA.ll, L.35, N.31. 3,640.0 gns. 64.6 mm. 4.2 - 4.6 mm. thick. Witness line 6:00 (from ob- verse). Both sides are a rich, deep federal yellow gold in color. The central devices are still lightly frosted and looks much like an original Ten Dollar gold piece of this era. Henley’s features are frosty while the obverse fields are bright, reflective and nearly fully mirrorlike. On the reverse, the scene of the Battle of Lake Erie is frosty, the clouds and battle smoke above, are as well, while the fields around are bright, reflective and fully mirrorlike. There are a few minor rim marks on both sides, but no test cuts and only a couple of minor reverse rim bruises.

Once described by Mr. Ford in his characteristically unforgiving way with medals as “Cleaned proof. Minute obverse abrasions upon cheek, pinpoint nicks and faint scratches in left obverse field, fewer marks in right. Two shallow dent-like defects in field above ‘BIT’ in FLOREBIT. Reverse also shows minute handling marks and abrasions, mainly in the cloud area at upper center and right. There are four serious nicks on and at two upper clouds. Reverse edge dent opposite ‘ERE’ in LATERE and a reverse rim bruise at 3-4 o’clock, other rim, edge impairment minimal.”

Unique: the medal awarded to Lt. Henley by the Congress. Some faint signs of double striking on the obverse, none obvious on the back. Perfect dies. Two step rim, risers of both parallel the edge, tops of both perpendicular to it (as NA.4, above). There are very few Congressional gold naval medals known. The cataloguer recalls only the Truxtun in the National Numismatic Collection, Cassin’s sold by Sotheby’s in April, 1960, Henley’s offered here, and Hull’s in the U.S.S. Constitution Museum. (SEE COLOR PLATE)

Ex Craig Koste, Plattsburg, N.Y. antique dealer, via Bowers & Ruddy Galleries, April 8, 1978.

Lossing (1868) gives a nice biographical sketch of Lieutenant (acting Captain) Robert Henley. “Robert Henley was born in James City County, Virginia, on the 5th of January, 1783. He was educated at William and Mary College. He obtained a midshipman’s warrant in 1799, and made his first cruise with Commodore Truxtun in the Constellation. He showed much gallantry in several engagements, especially with La Vengeance... when Truxtun said, ‘That stripling is destined to be a brave officer.’ He was appointed to the command of the Eagle in the spring of 1814, and after the battle of Plattsburg in September, his comman- der, Macdonough, said, in his official report: ‘To Captain Robert Henley, of the brig Eagle, much is to be as- cribed; his courage was conspicuous, and I most earnestly recommend him as worthy of the highest trust and confidence.’ The National Congress thanked him, and gave him a gold medal [this medal, of course]. He was also promoted to captain. He died at Charleston, South Carolina, in the year 1829.”

UNITED STATES NAVAL MEDALS

SILVER CAPTAIN ISAAC HULL MEDAL U.S.S. Constitution v. H.M.S. Guerriere, 1812

Lot No. 171

171 Captain Isaac Hull. U.S.S. Constitution (44) v. H.M.S. Guerriere (49), August 19, 1812. Silver. Choice Uncir- culated. Prooflike. J.NA.12, L.25, W. pi. 9. 1,921.4 gns. 64.8 mm. 3.3 - 4.0 mm. thick. Witness line 12:00 (from obverse). A gorgeous example. The obverse and reverse are toned in a rich, deep coin silver gray which has verged towards a char- coal gray in places. The central devices on both sides are frosty and bright and stand out with a semi-cameo look against the darker fields. Hull’s figure is clear, sharp and shows all the