1783 Nova Constellatio 1000 Units (Mark)
Strike Type
Coin Details
Description
This is the 1783 Nova Constellatio pattern of 1,000 units, the mark. In January 1782 Superintendent of Finance Robert Morris put before Congress a decimal coinage worked out by Gouverneur Morris, built on a unit equal to a quarter grain of silver. Benjamin Dudley prepared the mint and the dies were finished in Philadelphia early in 1783; on April 22 Dudley delivered several pieces as patterns, and Morris laid them before Congress. The coins show an eye in a glory within thirteen stars and NOVA CONSTELLATIO, and U.S. with the value in units inside a wreath with LIBERTAS JUSTITIA 1783. Congress never adopted the plan. Crosby gives its weight as 270 grains, with a leaf-work edge. Stack's traces the mark and the quint with the legend to Charles Thomson, Secretary of Congress, who received the patterns from Thomas Jefferson in 1784. PCGS number 822.
Rarity Notes
unique (Stack's)
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