1722 Penny Rosa Americana - UTILE

Coin Details

Auction Record

$20,700 PR 05-01-2005 Stack's

Description

This 1722 Rosa Americana Penny features the UTILE legend on the reverse, representing the standard spelling of the first word in the motto VTILE DVLCI but rendered with a modern "U" rather than the classical Latin "V" that appears on most other varieties. This distinction between U and V forms reflects a transitional period in European typography and die-cutting practice when the two letters were becoming differentiated. The obverse displays the laureate bust of George I facing right with the royal legend, while the reverse shows the crowned Tudor rose with ROSA AMERICANA UTILE DULCI ("American Rose, the useful with the pleasant"). The UTILE spelling variety is one of the more commonly encountered 1722 penny types, indicating it was produced in larger quantities or from longer-lasting dies. Struck in Bath metal, the coin weighs approximately 5-7 grams and measures about 25mm in diameter. William Wood's patent authorized the production of pennies, halfpennies, and twopence for the American colonies, and the penny was the denomination best suited for small daily transactions. The series was intended to replace the chaotic mix of foreign coins and commodity money in colonial circulation, though colonial resistance prevented the Rosa Americana coins from achieving this goal. The UTILE variety's relatively greater availability makes it an accessible starting point for collectors entering the Rosa Americana series.

Rarity Notes

Scarce but among the more available 1722 penny varieties. A good type coin for representing the Rosa Americana penny denomination.

Cross References

PCGS #113; NGC #108059; Martin attribution; Breen; cf. PCGS #108 (GEORGIVS Copper), PCGS #110 (VTILEDVLC)