1783 John Chalmers Shilling. W-1785. Rarity-4+. Birds, Short Worm.

Outstanding Chalmers Short Worm Shilling 1783 John Chalmers Shilling. W-1785. Rarity-4+. Birds, Short Worm. EF-40 (PCGS). OGH. Chalmers shillings of the Bird type, either variety, rarely offer the combination of originality, problem free surfaces, and universally bold detail that defines this premium quality EF from the Emerald Coast Collection. All design elements on both sides are clear, the birds and worm scene at central reverse remarkably full. (PCGS has incorrectly mounted this coin with the reverse up in the holder.) Even the clasped hands and enclosing wreath in the center of the obverse are bold with plenty of finer detail noted. Centering is nearly perfect, the obverse and reverse just trivially off center to 4 o'clock, affecting only the border denticulation at lower right. Bathed in rich steel and olive-gray patina, the discerning collector would be hard pressed to find a nicer Chalmers shilling at any grade level. The private coinage of Annapolis, Maryland silversmith John Chalmers was made on his account to combat the abuses then being practiced with the cutting of Spanish silver 8 reales into their fractional parts. Chalmers offered to exchange those pieces for his own silver coinage, charging a commission to the exchanger. Chalmers produced silver pieces in threepence, sixpence and shilling denominations, the dies for which seem to have been engraved by Thomas Sparrow, who also engraved plates for Maryland paper currency. The Chalmers coins were generally rather amateurishly made and given all that could go wrong, from a clipped planchet to axial misalignment to an off-center strike, some weight must be put on manufacturing quality in addition to technical grade. That being said, the list of positive qualities is long for the coin offered here. It is truly a superior representative of the type and it is highly recommended for inclusion in another advanced type set. Provenance: From the Emerald Coast Collection. PCGS# 596. NGC ID: 2AUU. Click here for certification details from PCGS.

Estimate:$1

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