1776 HK-852a, Bashlow Restrike, Silver Dollar

Coin Details

Auction Record

$10,800 MS64 11-24-2024 Heritage Auctions

Description

HK-852a is a silver Continental Dollar restrike, reproducing the design whose FUGIO motto and linked-rings reverse later inspired the 1787 Fugio Cent, the first coin authorized by the United States Congress. Prof. Montroville W. Dickeson produced Continental Dollar copies during the 1876 United States Centennial celebration in Philadelphia. Thomas K. DeLorey's planchet analysis corrected the earlier attribution of these pieces to Thomas L. Elder. Dickeson struck pieces primarily in white metal (hundreds) and copper (a few handfuls), with limited production in silver (only 50 according to John W. Haseltine), plus gold, pewter, and lead variants. These Centennial restrikes are cataloged as HK-852 through HK-856. Bashlow produced 2,000 silver restrikes (featuring a small "S" on the reverse) through August C. Frank Co. of Philadelphia, making silver the most prestigious composition in his restrike series. The Continental Dollar's design legacy extends beyond its own series: the FUGIO sundial and linked-rings motifs were adopted for the 1787 Fugio Cent, the first coin authorized by the United States Congress. Whether Franklin intended the message for Great Britain or for ordinary colonists remains debated. The Bashlow restrikes are collected both as numismatic curiosities and as accessible alternatives to the exceptionally rare 18th-century originals. Each HK number represents a distinct combination of design, composition, and die state, creating a collecting framework that rewards careful study and attention to detail. The monetary so-called dollars occupy a special niche within this framework, as they represent not just commemorative art but actual experiments in private coinage, political advocacy through medallic form, and commentary on the great monetary debates that shaped American economic history.

Rarity Notes

Bashlow restrikes from 1962 are more available than the 18th-century originals but still collected actively. Silver Bashlow restrikes are the most sought-after composition.

Cross References

HK-852a; PCGS #643591