(1659) MD 1S Lord Baltimore MS(PCGS#34)

Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

경매인

Stack's Bowers

로트 번호

1254

등급

XF40

가격

9,000

로트 설명

A very nice survivor of this important issue, the first silver coin produced abroad exclusively for American circulation. Well struck in general, although we do note softness at the right obverse and reverse peripheries, either from poorly aligned dies or an uneven planchet. Both sides are also struck off center to 3 o'clock with the borders into the very tops of the peripheral letters that are visible in those areas. Otherwise detail is excellent for the type, suitably bold throughout. The lightest toning in pinkish-silver drifts over generally brilliant surfaces that retain much luster in a bright frosty texture. Both sides have a good deal of flash that suggests how remarkable these coins must have looked when first struck; alas, PCGS has certified only one Mint State coin, and these are essentially unknown finer than Choice AU. Minor hairlines are visible under magnification, and there are a few scattered marks, but nothing serious.<p>The terms of Calvert's grant called for him to be guaranteed all rights enjoyed by the Bishop of Durham, who had issued coins in his own name during the Middle Ages. Thus, Calvert had shillings, sixpences, groats (four pence), and copper pennies (or denariums) coined bearing his bust and Arms, and passed local ordinances in Maryland calling for their mandatory circulation. He ran afoul of British authorities, who frowned on him exporting silver from the mother country no matter what the terms of his claim may have been. Despite his legal troubles, coins of every denomination reached Maryland and began circulating there in the early 1660s. Today, most survivors of this denomination are in poor condition, often holed and plugged after use in jewelry, badly polished, well-worn, or a combination of the above. While sixpence often survive in decent grade, thanks in part to a hoard of about 20 pieces located in England two decades ago, the shillings rarely fared so well. While a few high grade pieces exist, more than one of them shows what may be charitably called negative eye appeal. This pleasing EF is a notable exception, ranking among the nicer examples from the Hodder 1-A dies that we have ever had the privilege of bringing to auction.