Whitman Expo
1783 Nova Constellatio Bit PR Silver, Decorated Edge Values
Details
These Nova Constellatio pieces undoubtedly represent the first patterns for a coinage of the United States. They were designed by Benjamin Dudley for Gouverneur Morris to carry out his ideas for a decimal coinage system. The 1,000-unit designation he called a mark, the 500 a quint. These denominations, together with the small 100-unit piece, were designed to standardize the many different coin values among the several states. These pattern pieces represent the first attempt at a decimal ratio, and were the forerunners of our present system of money values. Neither the proposed denominations nor the coins advanced beyond the pattern stage. These unique pieces are all dated 1783. There are two types of the quint. The copper “five” was first brought to the attention of collectors in 1980. Electrotype copies exist.
Source: Red Book
Mint & Coinage Details
Mint Location:
New York
Mintage:
2 known
Coinage Type:
Nova Constellatio Patterns
Coinage Years:
1783
Composition:
Silver
Varieties and Classification
Variety:
Nova Constellatio
Variety 2:
Silver, Decorated Edge
Rarity:
R-8
Physical Characteristics
Strike Type:
Proof
Coin Shape:
Round
Design Details
Designer:
Benjamin Dudley
Obverse Lettering:
NOVA CONSTELLATIO
Obverse Designer:
Benjamin Dudley
Reverse Lettering:
LIBERTAS JUSTITIA 1783, US, 100
Reverse Designer:
Benjamin Dudley
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