Constellatio Nova Coppers 1785

obverse 500 dpi 250 dpi

reverse 500 dpi 250 dpi

1785        Crosby 1-B                       Constellatio Nova - Club Ray

Obverse:   CONSTELATIO   [quatrefoil]   NOVA ·
Reverse:   LIBERTAS ET JUSTITIA · 1785 ·     [in center]   U S [in script]

Weight:  112.8 g   (7.31 grams)                  Diameter:  27.7 mm

Comments:   For the 1785 series the die numbers start over. Obverse die 1 of 1785 is actually the same die as obverse die 3 in the 1783 series. It is easily recognized in that an L is missing in Constellatio. This is a heavy or club ray variety. The long rays have blunt convex ends rather than fine points at their tips. In this die one ray is at the N in NOVA (other varieties have the ray to the left of the N). On this example there is a die break in line with a point on the star immediately following the stop after NOVA. The reverse dies for 1785 differ from the 1783 dies in that they all use the word ET in the legend and have US written in script. Die B can be distinguished in that the wreath has 30 pairs of leaves with a die break joining the outer six leaves from the date area to the L in Liberty. This example is well worn.

Provenance:  From the Robert H. Gore, Jr. Numismatic Collection.

obverse 500 dpi 250 dpi

reverse 500 dpi 250 dpi

1785        Crosby 3-B                       Constellatio Nova - Pointed Ray

Obverse:   CONSTELLATIO   NOVA
Reverse:   LIBERTAS ET JUSTITIA · 1785 ·     [in center]   U S [in script]

Weight:  99.2 g   (6.43 grams)                  Diameter:  26.4 mm

Comments:   Obverse die 3 like all other 1785 obverses (except die 1) lacks any punctuation. This die can be distinguished in that one ray points to the left foot of the N in NOVA and another ray points to the right foot of the A in the same word. Reverse die B can be distinguished in that the wreath has 30 pairs of leaves with a die break joining the outer six leaves from the date area to the L in Liberty. There are also several small dots in this area between the wreath and the legend from the L in LIBERTAS through the date area (with several at the top of the 5) and some under the final A in JUSTITIA. Others occur between the E and the R and between the T and the A in LIBERTAS and elsewhere.

Provenance:  From the Robert H. Gore, Jr. Numismatic Collection.

obverse 500 dpi 250 dpi

reverse 500 dpi 250 dpi

1785        Crosby 5-E                       Constellatio Nova - Pointed Ray

Obverse:   CONSTELLATIO   NOVA
Reverse:   LIBERTAS ET JUSTITIA · 1785 ·     [in center]   U S [in script]

Weight:  106.4 g   (6.89 grams)                  Diameter:  28.22 mm

Comments:   Obverse die 5 like all other 1785 obverses (except die 1) lacks any punctuation. This die can be distinguished in that one ray points directly under the O in NOVA and another ray points to the left foot of the A in the same word. Reverse die E can be distinguished in that the wreath is the only one with 26 pairs of leaves. Five of the inside leaves nearest the top left curve of the U are bunched with the tip touching the next leaf. This example has a dull somewhat rough surface.

Provenance:  Purchased through the Robert H. Gore, Jr. Numismatic Endowment at the Fourth Annual C4 Convention Auction of Chris McCawley and Bob Grellman (M & G Auctions) on November 21, 1998, lot 436, where this item was graded as VF20.

Constellatio Nova 1783	Section Contents	Bar Copper