1767-A Sou, BN MS(PCGS#158651)

Winter 2022 U.S. Coins Auction

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

1140

等级

XF45BN

价格

4,237

详细说明

1767-A French Colonies Sou. Paris Mint. Breen-700. EF-45 (PCGS). 186.0 grains. Vlack 5-E. Rich chocolate brown with lighter tan devices. Glossy and appealing, a choice example in an unusually high grade. A couple little rim nicks are seen, one on the obverse at 3 o'clock, a more significant one on the reverse at 5 o'clock. A natural area of pitting is seen in the left reverse field. Great eye appeal for one of these; Syd acquired this right at the beginning of his interest in French colonials and, instructively, never upgraded it. Additional information pertaining to this lot: The French Colonies Sous of 1767 and 1793 In October 1766, French authorities authorized a new copper issue, a sou worth 12 deniers intended to circulate in all French colonies. The good news for collectors is that enough were struck (some 1.6 million pieces) that they can be easily found today. The bad news is the state of the French empire in 1767. By the time these coins were struck, France didn't control an acre of North America. In the West Indies, Guadeloupe was their main colonial possession, along with the islands of St. Lucia, Martinique, and a few others. There's no evidence to suggest any consideration to sending these coins to their few remaining territorials in Africa or beyond. Breen estimated (on unknown authority) that 98% of the original mintage was counterstamped RF in 1793 to designate it for circulation in Guadeloupe. That number seems aggressive, but it underscores the point: these pieces apparently didn't get very far in 1767, and the vast majority of the mintage was either still in Paris or recalled to be marked and circulated decades later. Based on the evidence we have, this is a coin of the French West Indies, with little more relevance to North America than to any other West Indian coin of the second half of the 18th century. Of course, it is still dramatic, historic, and important, struck for a unique economy with a vital relationship with the British colonies of North America - important enough that these coins undoubtedly arrived on American shores. Provenance: From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Tim Barker, May 1993. PCGS# 158651. Click here for certification details from PCGS.