Undated (1723) Rosa Americana Twopence Obverse Die Trial. Martin Obverse 3.3. Bath Metal. AU Details--Damage (PCGS).

169.0 grains. A fascinating and extremely rare uniface obverse die trial strike for a 1723 twopence. In lovely condition with frosty luster on the obverse and little if any wear. The reverse displays the same sort of file marks across the surface as the penny obverse die trial offered earlier in this sale, and upon that side is punched an "S" and "27" in very old style punches, no doubt contemporary to the striking of the piece. Struck on a somewhat thin, light, and narrow planchet measuring 28.9 mm in diameter compared to the usual 31+ mm for the denomination. The Ford catalog records an interesting letter from Ford to the seller of the piece, in which Ford cast doubts on the identity of the coin as an authentic die trial and haggles on the price. There is absolutely no reason to doubt this coin is an original die trial and if there were, Ford probably wouldn't have had an interest at any price. The Ford catalog also quotes a letter from Breen to Ford regarding this piece, where Breen makes the interesting assertion that the S stamped on the back refers to Standbrooke, a diecutter at the Tower Mint, and 27 is the serial number of the die. Conjecture of course, but intriguing nevertheless.

PCGS# 905936.

From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Bob White (Southwest Rare Coin Galleries, Inc.), February 1975; our (Stack's) sale of the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, Part IX, May 2005, lot 178; Lawrence R. Stack Collection, November 2006. Plated in the Martin reference "The Rosa Americana Coinage of William Wood," p. 338.