(1659) Lord Baltimore Maryland Fourpence

Strike Type

Coin Details

Year

1659

Denomination

Colonials

Strike Type

Regular Strike

Series

Pre-1776 States Coinage (1652-1774)

Designer

Unknown (commissioned by Cecil Calvert, 2nd Lord Baltimore; struck at the Royal Mint, England)

Composition

Silver (.925 Sterling)

Edge

Plain

Auction Record

Price realized: $111,625
Sold: 8 January 2015
Grade: AU53
Auction house: Heritage Auctions (unique Small Bust)

Description

The Lord Baltimore fourpence, also called a groat, was made in England for Cecil Calvert, the second Lord Baltimore and proprietor of Maryland. Cecil Calvert, the second Lord Baltimore, had shillings, sixpences and fourpences (groats) made in England for Maryland some time before October 1659, with his bust on the obverse and his crowned arms on the reverse. The silver was of sterling fineness, but each coin weighed about three quarters of its English counterpart. A Maryland law of April 12, 1662 required householders to exchange tobacco for the new money, and the few copper pennies are thought to be patterns. The fourpence is the smallest of the three silver values; Mossman illustrates one weighing 21.7 grains, catalogued as Breen-74. Cataloged as PCGS #32.