1776 Continental Dollar

1776 CONTINENTAL "DOLLARS" 1776 was a momentous year for the thirteen American Colonies. On July 4 of that year, delegates to the Continental Congress signed a Declaration of Independence, sending notice to England and the rest of the world that the Colonies would submit no longer to outside governance and interference. In recognition of the solidarity of the Colonies and their assumption of the right as a sovereign entity to coin their own monies, plans were made to issue a Silver Dollar. Patterns, using designs provided by Benjamin Franklin, were struck in Pewter, Brass, and Silver. Today, a nice AU 1776 Continental Dollar will probably cost in the area of $60,000. This is not a regular issue coin but, rather, a proposed or speculative issue. Varieties are known in silver, pewter and brass and with different spellings of the word CURRENCY. For this set, experts suggest a pewter piece with the spelling "CURENCY" and the lack of the designers initials (represented as "EG FECIT," which is believed to signify that the design was by Elisha Gallaudet). It is probable that these coins did circulate in colonial America and that they did have a recognized value. This fact makes them a legitimate candidate for the first "dollar" struck in this country as well as the largest coin, in terms of size, issued prior to the establishment of the United States. The magical date 1776 makes them even more desirable. And, finally, the charming design on the reverse (featuring thirteen interlinked rings with the name of each colony and symbolizing unity) is believed to have been suggested by Benjamin Franklin. This coin saw some light circulation during the colonial era but it should be lustrous and well struck. A G to F coin would cost $7,500-$11,500; making it an exceptional value for such an incredibly historic issue.