(1659) Lord Baltimore Maryland Shilling - Copper

Coin Details

Description

With approximately five copper examples known of the Small Bust variety (Hodder 2-B), this Lord Baltimore Maryland Shilling ranks among the greatest rarities in American colonial numismatics. Cataloged as Hodder 2-B/W-1090 and Breen 67, the copper composition immediately distinguishes it from the standard silver issues authorized by Cecil Calvert, the second Lord Baltimore, who received a royal charter granting him proprietary authority over the Maryland colony including the right to coin money. Whether these copper shillings represent trial pieces struck to test dies before silver production commenced or were intended for a different purpose entirely remains an open question — the extreme rarity of copper specimens suggests they were never part of regular commercial production. The Lord Baltimore coinage, produced in London around 1659, constitutes one of the earliest authorized coinages for any American colony, predating the more famous Massachusetts silver by several years in its legal basis. The shilling denomination was the workhorse of the Lord Baltimore series, and the Small Bust variety (Hodder 2-B) differs from the Large Bust in the portrait size and die characteristics. This piece belongs to the Pre-1776 States Coinage (1652-1774) series and commands extraordinary premiums at the rare occasions when examples appear at auction, reflecting both the tiny surviving population and the piece's foundational importance in the history of American money.

Rarity Notes

Extremely rare. Approximately 5 copper examples known of the Small Bust variety (Hodder 2-B/W-1090).

Cross References

Hodder 2-B/W-1090, Breen 67