Undated (1863) William Pitt Medal. Betts-515. Silver. Unc Details--Repaired

Undated (1863) William Pitt Medal. Betts-515. Silver. Unc Details--Repaired (PCGS). 40.4 mm. Sharply struck and crisp, the minimally toned surfaces are nicely semi-reflective in appearance. Hairlines are noted, however, which join several marks over and before Pitt's cheek and perhaps a bit too much "brightness" to support a Details grade, as returned by PCGS. The Betts listings have been the source of misinformation and confusion for years. All pieces categorized as Betts-515 were actually struck in New York in 1863. Among those cataloged as Betts-516, with the T. PINGO F. signature on the bust, some were struck in 1766, but others from a different die with a crude rendition of the signature were also made in New York in 1863. An article in the MCA Advisory issue of January/February 2016 by our own John Kraljevich lays out the die marriages of this small but intricate series. According to Edward Groh, writing in the American Journal of Numismatics in 1901, this piece was made "at No. 29 Rose Street on a large screw press, operated by a German, in the year 1863." 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:$1

View all items fromStack's BowersorCoins & Banknotes