NGC registry lists
early gold coins Numismatic
News - April 13, 2010
The
Numismatic Guaranty Corporation has formed a new category
in its registry to allow collectors to list their early American
gold coins.
Along with the opening of this new category at NGC Registry
is the inclusion of an early gold collection named the American
Independence Collection. It contains early U.S. gold coins,
as well as coins that circulated through the colonies and
were struck by the various states prior to the opening of
the first federal mint in 1792.
"The newly-created early gold sets in
the NGC Registry are definitely among the most difficult to
complete," said Scott Schechter, NGC vice president,
sales and marketing. "To attempt them is to undertake
a long and serious pursuit. This underscores the achievement
of the American Independence Collection, which consists of
high-grade and attractive examples of these challenging coins.
As it continues to grow, it should be a milestone Registry
collection."
This American Independence Collection has
been entered by dealer Tom Pilitowski, owner of U.S. Rare
Coin Investments in Port Charlotte, Fla.
Some
highlights of the collection are are a 1795 half eagle graded
Choice About Uncirculated by PCGS; a 1795 Eagle graded MS-60
by NGC, which was minted when George Washington was still
president; a 1796 Eagle in Choice About Uncirculated AU-55
also by NGC and an 1804 Eagle graded MS-63 by NGC. Gold Eagles
and half Eagles were designed by Chief Engraver Robert Scot
and feature the national Eagle on one side and a woman depicting
Liberty wearing a cloth cap with the legend LIBERTY on the
other.
One of the most interesting silver coins
from the American Independence collection is a Massachusetts
Pine Tree Schilling from 1652, the pre-Federal era before
the government mint was established and U.S. colonies produced
their own money. This schilling is from the famous John Jay
Ford collection and is graded MS-63.
"American
Independence is proving to be a high-quality collection that
contains some of the most valuable early U.S. gold and silver
rarities that were struck at the Philadelphia mint, as well
as Colonial coins that circulated in the 13 colonies at a
much earlier time," Pilitowski explained. "These
coins are true Americana."
The NGC Registry is the largest coin registry
of its kind, widely recognized as the definitive showcase
of the world's most valuable and important coins.
"American Independence is an important collection that
will take years to build and ultimately be worth millions
of dollars," Pilitowski said. "It will add increased
exposure and recognition for early American gold coinage,
a very special time in our county's numismatic history."
