1781-A 3 Sou Lec. 194a MS(PCGS#905857)

Winter 2022 U.S. Coins Auction

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

1145

等级

AU53

价格

101,697

详细说明

Extremely Rare 1781-A 3 Sous de Colonies Francaises Lecompte: “Seul Exemplaire Connu” 1781-A French Colonies 3 Sous de Colonies Francaises. Paris Mint. Lecompte-194a. AU-53 (PCGS). The Gadoury plate coin. As described in our (Stack’s) 2008 Americana sale: “One of two specimens known to us, the other being the plate coin in Jean Lecompte's Monnaies et Jetons Des Colonies Francaises published by Editions Victor Gadoury. Not listed by Vlack. The types are for general colonial circulation, the denomination the 3 sous made familiar from the issues for Cayenne and the Isles de France et de Bourbon that are listed by Vlack. Lecompte notes (p.187) that Zay had commented earlier that this coin represents the first use of the word Francaises on a coin. These were meant to be circulated in the French West Indies but apparently few, if any, ever made their way there. The present piece is a nice pale gray in color with olive surface toning.” An exciting rarity and a testimony to the breadth and depth of the Martin Collection. This issue, missing in even the most advanced cabinets, ties together similar billon issues intended for individual islands. This more all-encompassing issue apparently never saw significant distribution but deserves more appreciation today. Additional information pertaining to this lot: The French West Indies Syd was a universalist when it came to French colonial coins, and for good reason. The economy of the New World didn't stop as soon as the water got deep in the harbors of Boston, Philadelphia, Charleston, or New Orleans. Instead, the West Indies were a key part of Vast Early America. People and goods (and money) were constantly exchanged among these colonies and, later, nations, and even very unusual 18th century coins from the West Indies turn up in American archaeological contexts. Syd's collection was extensive and impressive, and what follows is just a sample. Provenance: From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier from our (Stack’s) January 2008 Americana Sale, lot 5546. PCGS# 905857. Click here for certification details from PCGS. Image with the PCGS TrueView logo is obtained from and is subject to a license agreement with Collectors Universe, Inc. and its divisions PCGS and PSA.