2018-03-06 Tue

The Sunday Internet Auction brings a marvellous selection of 300 new items along with 50 No Reserve lots and 30 Vaults Values. Some of the most interesting highlights from this week’s sale include: 1783 Chalmers Shilling PCGS XF45 (Short Worm), 1831 1/2c PCGS Proof 60 BN (Original) ex: Norweb, 1793 Chain 1c PCGS AU55 (AMERICA), 1796 1c PCGS AU55 (S-112, Reverse of 1794), 1802 1c PCGS/CAC MS64 BN (S-241, No Stems), 1807 1c PCGS/CAC MS63 BN (S-276, Large Fraction) and many more.

The first highlight is an 1834 50c PCGS/CAC MS65. Fantastic type coin with fresh surfaces and a superb original skin. CAC-approved for quality. This week’s second highlight coin is an 1854-O 50c PCGS MS66. Popular New Orleans Mint seated Harf Dollar with minor, yet beautiful rainbow tones just inside the stars, encircling the image of liberty. This gem example certainly appeals to everyone and is destined for a top-quality cabinet. .

Almost all Chalmers shillings’ reverse depict two birds fighting over a worm, which is a popular design for Colonial Maryland numismatics. Many researchers have come to various conclusions regarding the meaning of this motif, stating that it represents the American Revolution. But in reality, no one knows the real meaning. .

The long and short worm varieties exist, however, the long worm variant being slightly more common. There is also an extremely rare Chalmers shilling type that features 12 interlocking rings as the reverse design. .

John Chalmers was a silversmith from Annapolis, Maryland. He struck three types of coins in the year 1783, the same year that the Treaty of Paris officially ended the American Revolution. The coins were silver threepence, sixpence, and shillings. These coins were circulated in Colonial Maryland and examples can be traced in a variety of grades, indicating they were readily used in commerce. .

Image Courtesy: David Lawrence Rare Coins