The November 2012 Baltimore Auction - US and World Lots - Live and Internet Only Sessions

Pre-Bidding Ends: 11/16/2012 2:00:00 PM PST
Live Floor and Internet Bidding Begins: 11/16/2012 3:00:00 PM PST

Lot #6148. Undated (Circa 1663-1672) St. Patrick or Mark Newby Farthing. Breen-210, W-11520. Silver. Nothing Below King. AU-58+ (PCGS).

Magnificent High Grade Silver Saint Patrick Farthing
Description: 112.7 grains. Described by Craige on his envelope as "Silver Gem! Probably Finest Known With Smooth Lustrous Surfaces. RRR!" A stunning piece, with old golden toning and essentially complete luster. Both sides are aligned to 12 o'clock just enough to abbreviate the denticles at 6 o'clock. Soundly struck, with some detail on Saint Patrick's face. No marks, scratches, significant hairlines, or other problems, though we wonder if a trace of harmless old lacquer remains on the surfaces. Same dies as the superb Crosby-Mills-Garrett:1383 coin, graded Uncirculated, which brought $13,000 in 1980; this one is of similar quality, though we will not presume to call one finer than the other without seeing them side by side. Norweb's best silver strike was graded AU-50 at the time; Roper's best was called Extremely Fine. Steinberg's VF-EF was also from these dies. Lauder's silver piece was withdrawn as a fake. Silver Saint Patrick farthings are a hallmark of an advanced collection of colonial coins. Most known specimens fall into the VF-EF range; such pieces see vigorous competition when offered. This gorgeous piece is a step above such coins, among the very finest echelon of quality and eye appeal. It has been hidden away from view for 42 years and appears to have never before sold at auction.

PCGS# 45.

From the Ted L. Craige Collection. Purchased "from England" on February 8, 1970.


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