1783 MD 1S Chalmers, Long Worm MS(PCGS#595)

Spring 2026 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

1570

Grade

VF30

Price

4,920

Lot Description

A pleasing pewter and steel-gray example that exudes originality. (PCGS has mounted this coin with the reverse up in the holder.) Lower right obverse somewhat off the flan with a lip of virgin planchet opposite, from 11 to 1 o'clock. The reverse is also off center, in this instance to 11 o'clock, and also less so. There is isolated softness at upper left obverse, but otherwise this handsome piece is boldly to sharply defined for all features that are fully on the flan. Chalmers, a silversmith, patriot, and Annapolis mover-and-shaker, went broke soon after his coinage was produced, became an itinerant preacher, freed his slaves, and became an outspoken advocate for the abolition of slavery. He also became a drunk and was thrown out of the Methodist Church for certain indiscretions in 1813. The Long Worm variety of his shillings is best recognized by the hedge running from N to I (as opposed to N to N for the short worm) and the decoration between ONE and SHILLING which contains no internal cross. It appears that the Long Worm shilling was struck after the Short Worms, which share a common obverse.