An incredibly rare coin from the year of the USA’s Declaration of Independence has been discovered – at the bottom of a toffee tin.
Known as a Continental Dollar, the coin, made of pewter and measuring 38mm (0.1247 foot) across, was minted in 1776.
It had a limited production run. Only around 6,000 are believed to have been made, and it’s thought that as few as 100 remain.
The coin has been estimated at $26,000 – $39,000, though it could potentially reach a six-figure sum.
Auctioneer Joseph Trinder from Wotton Auction Rooms in Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire, said: “This coin represents a discovery that is in the top five of my career to date, and the sort of thing every auctioneer up and down the country hopes they’ll find.
“We discovered it in a large toffee tin a private vendor brought to us, full of all manner of interesting sorts of knick-knacks – other coins, little bits of jewelry, carved stone, and fossils.
“We had a jolly good look through and made sure we got to the bottom of everything inside.
”There were some really interesting pieces like gold coins and some other valuable items, but languishing at the bottom of this tin of treasures, we found this amazing Continental Dollar coin.”
Because of the coin’s rarity and potential value and the fact that many fakes exist, it was taken back to America for its authenticity to be verified by the Numismatic Guaranty Company, experts in grading coins.
“It was examined by a committee of specialists and X-rayed and put through other scientific tests, and we were delighted to receive a notification a few days ago to tell us that it is genuine,” added Trinder.
“To think this is a coin that dates back to the year of independence and to have it found in the UK is unique. We haven’t been able to find a record of another example found here in Blighty,” said Trinder.
The Continental Dollar will be the star of a specialist sale at Wotton Auction Rooms on Thursday, Oct 3rd.
Produced in association with SWNS Talker
