1785 Pattern Immune Columbia Silver, Reeded Edge MS(PCGS#829)

October 2018 Baltimore U.S. Coins Auction

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

7064

Grade

AU55

Price

102,000

Lot Description

The Brand-Robison Silver 1785 Immune Columbia Pattern A Relic of One of Our Nation's Earliest Coining Proposals 1785 Immune Columbia pattern. Silver. W-1985. Extra Star. AU-55 (PCGS). 75.1 grains. Diagonally reeded edge. Desired as a rarity, important as a likely multi-composition pattern for the coinage of a new nation, the 1785 Immune Columbia is at once a landmark part of the Confederation series and an issue shrouded in mystery. A single gold specimen exists, and copper and silver examples survive in similar proportion to one another. The series is linked to the Nova Constellatio series by die marriage and are thus likely products of the same entrepreneurial partnership composed of Robert Morris, Gouverneur Morris, and William Constable. These Founding Fathers were intimately connected to the creation of our monetary system. While their vision was not followed to completion, the Nova Constellatio coppers, the extremely rare Nova Constellatio patterns of 1783, and these rare Immune Columbia issues are what remain of it. The silver pieces like this one have no precise cognate in the Morris' system, but observed weights of specimens known today hew fairly closely to the weights of Spanish pistareen two reales and not far from British shillings, which outweigh these slightly. Few of the survivors are heavily worn, but likewise none are Gem Mint State (or even close). It is clear these were meant to be handled, not struck for collectors, but also not intended to circulate. In a numismatic world where "pattern" has become a meaningless term, these coins define the original intent of that verbiage: a trial production to exemplify a design concept. They likely served much the same purpose as the 1783 Nova Constellatio patterns that preceded them. The copper Nova Constellatios were later tokens meant for circulation, as were the 1787 Immunis Columbia coppers that imitated this coin's design. The obverse depicts Columbia, the goddess of America, sitting on a box or chest, seemingly protecting the commercial products within it. Her two hands grasp two symbols: a balance, symbolizing justice, and a cap and pole, symbolizing liberty. It is no accident that the Nova Constellatio patterns bear the obverse legend LIBERTAS ET JUSTITIA. In its own way, this piece does too. The reverse is Crosby's 1785 Obverse 3 of the Nova Constellatio series. The edge is diagonally reeded, one of two milling varieties found among the small population of silver examples. Three coins have vertical reeding, most specimens show this type, and at least two have plain edges. The surfaces and eye appeal of this specimen place it among the top tier of survivors. Most have one problem or other, like the Earle-Jackman-Craige coin's tiny punch marks, or the repaired hole found in another. Most examples are also worn into the VF/EF range. This piece stands apart on both aspects, free of significant flaws and delightfully absent significant wear. The surfaces are light silver gray with the sort of subtly iridescent gold and pale blue toning that accrues in a fine cabinet. The reverse is a bit more deeply toned, also suggestive of long-term storage in a cabinet - a literal one. The centering is ideal, and all peripheral design elements are well-defined. On both reeding varieties, the milling appears to have been applied after striking, an unusual order of production that may suggest production outside of a professional British coining operation. This post-striking edge milling creates a high rim and also draws attention to any uneven curvature on the planchet circumference; this is seen over C of CONSTELLATIO and a few other spots along the periphery, though the apparent rim nick over the first M of IMMUNE really is a rim nick. Aside from a wedge-shaped injury in the field between A of NOVA and C of CONSTELLATIO, the fields are free of any flaws other than trivial hairlines. The devices on both sides are sharp and bold. The total number of silver Immune Columbias appears to be just over a dozen pieces. Few are equal to this one, fewer are measurably finer. Garrett's appeared in the 2015 Partrick sale as an NGC AU-55. The Newman coin was offered in 2014 as an AU-53 (NGC) and was later upgraded to AU-58 at PCGS, leaving it as the only one to receive a higher certified grade than this one. Provenance: From the Archangel Collection. Earlier, from Stack's sale of the Robison Collection, February 1982, lot 99; the Virgil Brand Estate, via an unknown dealer intermediary, February 4, 1964. PCGS Population: 1, 1 finer (AU-58). Only two examples of this variety have been certified by PCGS. PCGS# 829 Click here for certification details from PCGS.