2017-10-04 Wed

One of the two Maryland silversmiths named Standish Barry of Baltimore struck silver coinage between the end of Revolutionary War and the establishment of the U.S. Mint at Philadelphia. Both these coinages were circulated extensively. The coins were struck to introduce a circulating medium and the dates on these coins suggest that they have been issued in honour of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

There is a lot of speculation on the identity of the obverse figure. Some believe that it is Barry himself and others think it is George Washington. However, a 1843 article from the Baltimore Sun states that it was James Calhoun, who was equivalent to Mayor in Baltimore on 4th July 1790.

A golden-coloured NGC XF45 example of this very rare coin will be offered by Heritage at the Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society IX US Coins Signature Auction in Dallas from 1st to 3rd November. It is believed that only 24 such coins exist today. The peripheries are boldly struck while the centres are softer. The inscription BALTIMORE TOWN is clear but the date JULY 4 90 is not that clear. The reverse design is stronger on the upper half. The planchet is not a complete round, but the design elements and inscriptions are complete. The obverse figure’s face and the reverse’s THREE PENCE are weakly struck. This piece has no major visible die cracks. It is the finest coin of its type known in private hands and was sold to Heritage in January 2015 as part of the Donald G. Partrick Collection.