Undated (1659) Lord Baltimore Fourpence, or Groat. Hodder 1-A, W-1010.

Seldom Offered Lord Baltimore Groat Undated (1659) Lord Baltimore Fourpence, or Groat. Hodder 1-A, W-1010. Rarity-6. Large Bust, Hyphen in TERRAE - MARIAE. Fine-15 (PCGS). 22.5 grains. A remarkable specimen of a rare issue, this one featuring rich old cabinet toning in hues of light gold, blue, and deep coin silver gray, especially on the obverse. Very well struck for the fourpence or groat denomination, with Lord Baltimore well outlined if not fully detailed due to wear and with the reverse shield much better defined than on higher grade specimens that are out there. Centering is a bit to the left on the obverse, the tops of the lettering starting to merge with the rim in that area, while the reverse is perfectly centered for the issue. A small intrusion in the edge, best seen from reverse around the 2 o'clock position, is noted for the completeness of our description. Otherwise superior for a well circulated survivor of this challenging colonial era silver issue, we wish that all survivors of early American silver were as beautifully preserved as this. Struck from an advanced state of the obverse die in which the die is sunken and failing at the letters CIL. The obverse of this type shows Cecil Calvert, Second Lord Baltimore, facing to the left with a Latin legend that translates as, "Cecil Calvert Lord of Maryland." The reverse shows Lord Calvert's coat of arms with a crown above it. The Latin legend on the latter side is the Lord's first command to Adam and Eve: "Increase and be multiplied." This is the only collectible variety of Lord Baltimore's groat, as the Small Bust variety (W-1020) is unique. These are rare in their own right, however, and we believe that only 20 or so examples of the Large Bust Lord Baltimore groat are extant. Most are at lower levels of preservation, as here, although we stress that this coin offers bolder definition than many that we have handled, and it is refreshingly free of significant impairment. Provenance: From the Emerald Coast Collection. Earlier from our (Stack's) 73rd Anniversary Sale, October 2008, lot 4. PCGS# 32. NGC ID: 2U3J. 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.

Estimate:£0.74

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