A rare American coin, found in a toffee tin, has sold for £25,000.
The 1776 Continental Currency Dollar from the United States of America’s year of independence, made of pewter, was sold at Wotton Auction Rooms by auctioneer and managing Director, Joseph Trinder.
“This coin represents a discovery that is in the top five of my career to date, and the sort of thing every auctioneer up and down the country hopes they’ll find.
“We discovered it in a large toffee tin a private vendor brought to us, full of all manner of interesting sort of knick-knacks – other coins, little bits of jewellery, carved stone and fossils,” said Mr Trinder.
“We had a jolly good look through and made sure we got to the bottom of everything inside. There were some really interesting pieces like gold coins and some other valuable items but languishing at the bottom of this tin of treasures we found this amazing Continental Dollar coin.”
Because of the coin’s rarity and potential value, and the fact that many fakes exist, it was taken back to America for its authenticity to be verified by the Numismatic Guaranty Company, experts in grading coins.
The initials ‘EG’ in ‘EG FECIT’ (‘EG made this’) are attributed by Eric P. Newman to Elisha Gallaudet, c.1730-1805. While the intended purpose and specific origin of these pewter pieces remain uncertain and whether it was originally intended as a coin or medal, they are traditionally and widely regarded as the first series of American Dollar coins.
For more information contact Wotton Auction Rooms on 01453 708260, email info@wottonauctionrooms.co.uk
