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1766-cro21122014 1766-cro21122014r

Betts-519, W-8350 variety, considered to be Rarity-3.

One of our favorite early issues based on its distinctly American subject matter and charming folk-art style design.

William Pitt was a popular figure in early America, largely based on his successful efforts to repeal the Stamp Act in 1766, as honored in the obverse legend:

THE RESTORErOF COMMERCE 1766 : NO STAMPS

But one will note that the engraver originally omitted the last ‘R’ in RESTORER, and then, almost certainly in a panic, tried to squeeze a tiny one into the empty space between RESTORE and OF as if no one would notice.

The reverse is cool too, with an unusual ship reminiscent of a Chinese Junk, and an early appearance of AMERICA (a very uncommon thing on a coin of this era), but oddly positioned at an angle again suggestive of an afterthought.

And this is a fantastic example, with lustrous golden brown color, mint red lingering in the devices and it is and has been for 20+ years the single highest graded example at PCGS.

This coin is from the CRO archives and is not currently available for sale.

1766-cro21122014As

Coin #: PCGS 236  |  Cert. #: PCGS 6595295