Bowers on collecting: The 1776 Continental Currency dollar revisited

By Q. David Bowers

The 1776-dated Continental Currency dollar in pewter is one of the best-known coins associated with early America. Conventional wisdom has had it that the paper dollar of similar design was discontinued in 1776 and the pewter dollar was issued as a more durable substitute.

The obverse of a 1776 Continental Currency dollar, graded MS-63. Hover to zoom.

In recent years, several researchers have delved into the coin deeply, now with the Internet making searches easier. It turns out that not a single reference in print has been found about metal 1776 Continental dollars in circulation in America at that time or any time later! I found this amazing. The more I read, the more I learned. It seems that electronic treasure detectorists have found countless metal buttons, coins, and the like in various places in the United States from that era, but not a single metal Continental dollar. However, such coins were for sale as medals in London before 1790! There is much more fascinating new information.

The reverse of a 1776 Continental Currency dollar, graded MS-63.

If you would like chapter and verse on some of this research, much is on the Internet site eSylum. Christopher McDowell, editor of the Journal of Early Numismatics (new name for the Colonial Newsletter published by the American Numismatic Society) is gathering all of the new finds and will be preparing an essay on the coin.

Hope springs eternal as they say, and if any Mint News Blog readers can find any citations for pewter (or tin) 1776 Continental dollars published before 1780, let me know!


See you next week!

If you wish to reach out to me for commentary, questions, or suggestions, I can be contacted via e-mail at qdbarchive@metrocast.net.

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Comments

  1. KEITHSTER says

    Have a copy of one sure it’s as close as I’ll ever get? Well Good Luck In All You Do All”>”>”>”>”>”>”>”>”>”><"<"<"<"<"<"<"<"<"<"

  2. CaliSkier says

    Years back, 2008 or 2009, I picked up a couple 2006 Ben Franklin “Founding Father” $1 silver commemoratives due to having a facsimile of the above historical coin on its obverse. However, for a reason unknown to me I preferred the “Scientist” version better? Maybe the broken snake reminds me of the motto “Don’t Tread on Me”, which I’m quite fond of!

  3. CaliSkier says

    @Numismatrix: Wow! Current bid, $3,676.00 w/39 days to go….. Wouldn’t it be a travesty if it turned out to be a counterfeit? I know it’s slabbed, however from articles I’ve read, the counterfeiters have managed to knock off both slabs as well as the coins contained w/in! Is there a completely foolproof way to establish the authenticity? Just asking…. re-submission , or ???

  4. Buzz Killington says

    Now that it has been re-priced, I have to decide if it is worth getting a single one to keep my AGE burnished set going.

    I do believe in the rule that you can’t make money if you buy when everyone else is buying. But that doesn’t mean you can make money just by buying something with not much demand.

    #Quandry

  5. cagcrisp says

    1) The Gimmicky Mintage of 10,000 worked
    2) The Playing with House Money worked
    3) Now we see the $50 Re-Pricing work

    18EH 2018 AM EAGLE GOLD UNC 1 OZ 4,149 +4,149

  6. cagcrisp says

    Not as Many Returns as in the Past on a % Basis…

    …Guess the Individual vs. the Dealers…

    17AJ 2017 ATB SILVER UNC 5 OZ – EFF MNDS 16,896 + 35
    17AK 2017 ATB SILVER UNC 5 OZ – DOUGLASS 17,553 + 40
    17AL 2017 ATB SILVER UNC 5 OZ – OZARK 17,381 +39
    18AJ 2018 ATB SILVER UNC 5 OZ – PIC ROCKS 16,950 + 52
    18AK 2018 ATB SILVER UNC 5 OZ – APOSTLE ISL 15,331 +68
    18AL 2018 ATB SILVER UNC 5 OZ – VOYAGEURS 13,843 (482)

  7. cagcrisp says

    At Some Point the Mint will Quit Selling 2016 Gold…

    16EA 2016 AM EAGLE SILVER PROOF 1 OZ 590,079 +97
    16EB 2016 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1 OZ 24,161 + 5
    16EC 2016 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1/2 OZ 5,964 –

  8. cagcrisp says

    At Some Point the Mint will Quit Selling 2017 Gold and Silver…

    17EA 2017 AM EAGLE SILVER PROOF 1 OZ 381,711 +203

    17EB 2017 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1 OZ 8,963 + 6
    17EC 2017 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1/2 OZ 2,460 –
    17ED 2017 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1/4 OZ 4,459 +1
    17EF 2017 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 4-COIN SET 9,811 –
    17EG 2017 AM EAGLE SILVER UNC 1 OZ 176,561 (1)
    17EJ 2017 AM EAGLE PLATINUM PROOF 1 OZ 8,890 –
    17EL 2017 AM BUFFALO GOLD PROOF 1 OZ 15,810 –

  9. cagcrisp says

    At Some Point in 2020-2021 the Mint will Quit Selling 2018 Gold and Silver…

    18EA 2018 AM EAGLE SILVER PROOF 1 OZ (W) 288,280 +1,922

    18EB 2018 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1 OZ 4,007 +97
    18EC 2018 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1/2 OZ 1,341 +21
    18ED 2018 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1/4 OZ 2,221 +74
    18EE 2018 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 1/10 OZ 8,383 +122
    18EF 2018 AM EAGLE GOLD PROOF 4-COIN SET 5,838 +24
    18EG 2018 AM EAGLE SILVER UNC 1 OZ 109,772 +2,635
    18EH 2018 AM EAGLE GOLD UNC 1 OZ 4,149 +4,149
    18EJ 2018 AM EAGLE PLATINUM PROOF 1 OZ 10,279 +56
    18EL 2018 AM BUFFALO GOLD PROOF 1 OZ 10,948 +152

  10. cagcrisp says

    WOW…A + number on Medals…Hmmm….

    18CA 2018 WWI CENTENNIAL SILVER PROOF 50,923 + 401
    18CB 2018 WWI CENTENNIAL SILVER UNC 18,770 + 87

    18CC 2018 WWI CENTENNIAL COIN & MEDAL – ARMY 13,574 + 2
    18CD 2018 WWI CENTENNIAL COIN & MEDAL – AIR SERV 10,710 + 2
    18CM 2018 WWI CENTENNIAL COIN & MEDAL – NAVY 10,556 2
    18CN 2018 WWI CENTENNIAL COIN & MEDAL – MARINES 10,784 1
    18CP 2018 WWI CENTENNIAL COIN & MEDAL – COAST GRD 8,019 –

  11. cagcrisp says

    18CE 2018 BREAST CANCER GOLD PROOF 9,332 +31
    18CF 2018 BREAST CANCER GOLD UNC 3,976 +20
    18CG 2018 BREAST CANCER SILVER PROOF 28,967 +175
    18CH 2018 BREAST CANCER SILVER UNC 10,747 +44
    18CJ 2018 BREAST CANCER CLAD PROOF 16,014 +83
    18CK 2018 BREAST CANCER CLAD UNC 9,605 + 52

  12. cagcrisp says

    17XA 2017 AM LIBERTY 24K GOLD 1 OZ 28,688 + 17
    17XB 2017 AM LIBERTY SILVER MEDAL (P) 54,912 –
    17XC 2017 225TH ANN ENHANCED UNC SET 210,418 –
    17XD 2017 AM LIBERTY SILVER 4-MEDAL SET 30,948 +26

  13. cagcrisp says

    $207,450.00 Over Paid for the Launch Week Sales for the $50 Gold Uncirculated.

    Strongest Launch Week Sales in Years…

  14. CaliSkier says

    @Cag: Due to price decrease on the AGE 1oz Unc., shouldn’t we expect quite a few returns and or cancellations on the next report? Or maybe the following report after next?

  15. cagcrisp says

    @CaliSkier,” Due to price decrease on the AGE 1oz Unc., shouldn’t we expect quite a few returns and or cancellations on the next report? Or maybe the following report after next?”

    Yep…But..

    …People Should have Known Before Launch that there was a Good Chance of a Price Reduction Today and there was Virtually No downside to waiting unless you are a Label Chaser or a Flipper…

  16. John Q. Coinage says

    Cag, how are they selling MORE of the WW1 medal sets that went “off” sale weeks & weeks ago? Burnished AGE Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz 4me….. 1 1/2 z of bullion I would preeefer……or Lakers tickets! Same price for the 2 for 2019!

  17. cagcrisp says

    @John Q. Coinage,” how are they selling MORE of the WW1 medal sets that went “off” sale weeks & weeks ago?”

    Good question. Could be just accounting…OR…??

  18. earthling says

    How does the Mint sell more Medals with “closed sales”?

    That’s obviously the result of a good “La Familia” type infiltration into the ranks of the US Mint. Outside of a few in the miniscule ranks of Coinaholics… who really cares? I doubt that most Americans could even tell you what the US Mint is. Most would answer * York Peppermint Patties” , and give you a happy smile.

    😅😘

  19. earthling says

    There’s a good chance PMs have fallen off a cliff. The fire sales are starting. Wouldn’t touch a lump of US Mint mint marked bullion for anything .😎

  20. says

    @earthling…with pm’s falling, it might be a good time to buy. Way too often, people seem to buy when prices are going up, then panic and sell when prices are falling.

  21. earthling says

    @Steve

    Theres only one problem with a market in freefall, one thats gone “off a cliff”. You dont know where the bottom is. It’s truely ” trying to catch a falling knife” , an act likely to hurt you. Better to wait for the “dead cat bounce”? Always a tough call to make. That ghostly bitcoin seems to be a bit too active lately ,do the rich smart cookies out there now think the fantasy bitcoin is the ultimate investment? Whatever. Greed has never been a sensible way of life. Personally I’m not looking to dump any cash on anything right now. Except maybe some Cases of Beans and Freeze Dried Rations.

  22. CaliSkier says

    Cag says: “…People Should have Known Before Launch that there was a Good Chance of a Price Reduction Today and there was Virtually No downside to waiting unless you are a Label Chaser or a Flipper…. This comment appears to be based on the assumption that collectors all follow daily precious metal prices vs their hearts or pocketbooks desire. Let alone ,the fact they collect for reasons besides potential monetary gain! Calling those who purchased early, label chasers or flippers is a nice way of calling them idiots, based solely on what floats “your” boat, Investing/gifting/numbers! Not all collectors are numismatists, investors, commodity traders, etc., or any of the labels that may come to mind. Some, simply may be new to this hobby, been given bad information, or even concerned that if they wait for a price drop, they might have to pay even more from a flipper if they did/do sell out.

  23. CaliSkier says

    @Earthling: “Personally I’m not looking to dump any cash on anything right now. Except maybe some Cases of Beans and Freeze Dried Rations.” One may want to add water, fuel, ammo, etc to the shopping list…..just saying…. BTW don’t forget the duct tape! Haha

  24. Daveinswfl says

    It will be interesting to see if the Russian and Chinese physical metal hoarders or the Eastern paper/digital gamblers will turn out to be the ones with wisdom.

    It will also be interesting to see just how much debt can be accumulated before the system breaks. At some point even the average Joe will be overwhelmed by the interest owed.

    It will be especially interesting to see how these “wise” central bankers around the world manage to keep interest rates low enough (or negative enough) to prevent the above collapse.

    Given the devaluation of our dollar, I am in utter amazement that the cent, nickel, dime, and even the quarter still exist. If the smallest denomination needed in the 1800s was a cent, why is the smallest denomination needed now not the dollar.

    Even more ridiculous is the gas station still pricing at tenths of a cent.

    What a truly absurd system we cannot get ourselves out of!

  25. CaliSkier says

    @Dave: “Even more ridiculous is the gas station still pricing at tenths of a cent.” I’m also perplexed by the fuel tenths of a cent deal. Another one for me is that in gambling on sports, which I don’t, curious, however the half points. As no sports I’m aware of use half points in their scoring systems or decimals for that matter? Since Cag mentioned he’s a gambler and seemingly know one is talking coins, maybe he’d be willing to elaborate or someone with experience re:topic?

  26. Daveinswfl says

    The half point on sports bet spots is to prevent a push….it creates a winning position on the bet.
    If the spot is 7 points and the win is exactly 7 points, it creates a tie.
    With a 6 1/2 point spot , a six point win makes one side a winner and a 7 point win makes the other side a winner. There cannot be a tie with a 6 1/2 point spot.

  27. Daveinswfl says

    The half point on sports bet spots is to prevent a push….it creates a winning position on the bet.
    If the spot is 7 points and the win is exactly 7 points, it creates a tie.
    With a 6 1/2 point spot , a six point win makes one side a winner and a 7 point win makes the other side a winner. There cannot be a tie with a 6 1/2 point spot.

    Make sense?

  28. Daveinswfl says

    On 2018 low guesses, I wouldn’t venture a guess. Timing is difficult. That said, looks to me like lower and lower spot on silver and most likely gold.
    Don’t follow plat or pall enough to guess even without time constraints.

    I’m expecting a recession in the next few years and believe the spot pricing will continue to deteriorate through the experience. Everything usually gets thrown out with the bath water in those times.

    I’d love to see the 2015 lows hold, but don’t expect it.

    I will still buy what I like from the mint and stack when I can get product at spot or very close. My position is that PMs are a better investment than fiat paper in the long run. I’m just weird that way!

  29. CaliSkier says

    Thanks Dave, your explanation makes complete sense. Economics, commodities are not my specialty, that being said IMHO we’re in for a rough ride ahead, no matter ones sense or knowledge of what the future beholds. We’re in such an immediate gratification mode, most WILL be caught completely and utterly unprepared to deal, when, not IF the proverbial SHTF! Not being negative, just realistic, as things are going to have to change regardless of ones positivity. Sorry…..

  30. A&L Futures says

    My guesstimate for 2018’s low:

    Gold – $1,160.00
    Silver – $13.80
    Platinum- $715.00
    Palladium – $865.00

    As of this posting, PMs are at:
    Gold – $1,217.10
    Silver – $15.24
    Platinum- $794.00
    Palladium – $895.60

  31. Tom says

    Precious Metals appear to be in a free fall.
    This is an opportune time to practice our President’s two misused words.
    I would love to buy but right now I wouldn’t dare.

  32. CaliSkier says

    Step right up…,Hurry, Hurry, Hurry! As of Monday 7/16…
    2018 low predictions/guesses:

    Cali: Au $1050 Ag $12.50 Pt $760 Pd $840
    A&L: Au $1160 Ag $13.80 Pt $715 Pd $865

  33. cagcrisp says

    Those that are interested in the 2018 Proof Platinum pricing…

    Keep close eye on the Spot pricing.

    I’m a Day Behind on pricing on the LBMA, however, Spot Platinum has been below/above of the $800 Level most of the morning…

    Currently I don’t see Any bargains on the 2018 Bullion Platinum but the Proof is getting there.

    Seems Like MOST that Bought the 2018 Bullion Platinum are Refusing to Sell at a Sizeable Loss…

  34. earthling says

    I remember when…………….

    Platinum was up in the $2200’s back in about 2008. I had always liked Platinum and I had a sizable hoard going ( still got it and have added a bit more 😦). From the high point Platinum began a long slide down the hill stopping around maybe $750 or thereabouts. Those were dark days for sure. Not at all fun and it looks like it’s happening AGAIN ! 😢

    Oh well. Thats the way it turns out sometimes. Glad I dumped a bunch of Proof Silver and Gold Eagles back around 2012. Those aren’t worth squat anymore.

    Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. Life goes on .

  35. cagcrisp says

    Here are some Facts and a Fed Estimate…

    Facts:

    • According to the Fed Reserve there is $1.57 Trillion in Currency in circulation at the end of 2017
    • According to the Fed Reserve of the $1.57 Trillion, fully 79.7% are in $100 Benjamin Franklins

    Fed Estimate:

    • Fully 69% of All $100 FRNs are held Outside the United States

    Thus you can deduct that the Majority of the $1.57 Trillion in Currency in circulation is held Outside the United States…

    …SO…People Outside the United States sure hold a Lot of United States fiat…

  36. earthling says

    How is Rhodium still holding its shine these days? It and Bitcoin still look good. Bitcoin and Bitmetal?

  37. Old Big Bird says

    cagcrisp- What would happen if the Treasury demanded all $100 notes be turned in with in a month which is what the country of Indian did with large notes. Now that would be a scramble for sure.

  38. cagcrisp says

    Old Big Bird, I’m not sure how much effect it would have on the United States economy.

    From my understanding 90% of transactions in India were in cash whereas less that 30% of transactions in the United States regards cash…

  39. Throckmorton says

    With initial orders of the AGE-W north of 4K, it has no chance of being a low mintage wonder. I bet in 3 years I’ll be able to pick up a slabbed 70 for $100 to $150 over spot

  40. cagcrisp says

    President Donald Trump told CNBC he is not “thrilled” that the Federal Reserve is hiking interest rates, according to the news site. “Because we go up and every time you go up they want to raise rates again. I don’t really – I am not happy about it. But at the same time I’m letting them do what they feel is best.” He added, “but I don’t like all of this work that goes into doing what we’re doing.”

    When that statement came out, Immediately the USD Sold Off and PMs Rebounded…

  41. cagcrisp says

    Trump NEEDS a Weaker USD and he does Not want Interest Rates going Up to Strengthen the USD…

  42. cagcrisp says

    Before Trump’s statement was released the USD hit a 1 year High of 95.65 and both Gold and Silver hit 1 year Lows.

    Before Trump Statement:

    Gold hit an intraday Low of $1,210.00
    Silver hit an intraday Low of $15.11
    USD hit 1 year High of 95.65

    After Trump Statement:

    Gold Currently $1,227.10
    Silver $15.40
    USD Index 94.97

    …SO…You guys that lament the “Devaluing” of the USD…

    …Look no farther that Trump…

  43. John Q. Coinage says

    Funny thou Cag, he said prior to election that the rates were too low, oh that waz Obama…now he wanted them raised…. BUT I guess- no, boo hoo in one way IF youhave $$ you have been getting 0% on it for years w/CDs, etc., unless parked in stox/bonds/RP…….. Oh & Love that 1776 $1 design!

  44. Old Big Bird says

    cagcrisp- yes you are correct in the 31% that is in the US, but I believe you stated that 69% of the $100 is outside the US. That is what I was referring to what would they do?

  45. cagcrisp says

    @Old Big Bird,” yes you are correct in the 31% that is in the US, but I believe you stated that 69% of the $100 is outside the US. That is what I was referring to what would they do?”

    Oh Yeah…That would be a problem because some of this is from Illegal Gains and Non Taxed Gains…

  46. John Q. Coinage says

    considering that in it’s history the US of A has never recalled any money making it worthless & of no face value. Today a Flowing hair dollar is still a dollar…….. a 1/2 cent is… obsolete……. 10 make a 1/2 disme….. I suspect a lot fo the oversea$ $$ has been returned to the US mainland by some shifty types or in yachts, etc. How much is off shore $$ kept in say Cayman Island, Barbad0s,…. Trump Tower?

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