POSSIBLE 1782 CONTINENTAL DOLLAR SALE

In their groundbreaking January 2018 Numismatist article "The Myth of the Continental Dollar," Erik Goldstein and David McCarthy mention that Pierre Eugène Du Simitière noted that these 1776-dated "type metal" coins were struck in London. However, so far, our earliest documentation of these pieces dates to sometime in 1783, in connection with the publication of a German almanac. In 2021, I found documentation in a 1785 German auction catalog for the sale of a Continental dollar. That catalog description was well-detailed and clearly identified the item as a pewter Continental dollar coin/medal.

As well, the style of these coins, with their European flair, decorative edges, and tantalizing maker initials "E.G.," possibly being that of the Swiss/German engraver Elias Gervais, placed the focus on Germany as the origin of their minting. I still believe it is possible that the Continental dollars were made in Germany for the British consumer market. Could the following catalog listing push the date of their minting back another year to sometime prior to February 1782?

On February 21–22, 1782, the Soho auctioneer, John Gerard, sold an unnamed "Collection of Ancient and modern Coins and Medals." At lot 3 under the title of "Copper and Pewter Medals and Coins," was a miscellaneous group of 138 pieces: "Farthings of James I and Charles I. 41, English half-pence and farthings from Charles II. 30, Scotch and Irish 23, Manks 5, James II. Irish brass crowns 2, half crowns 13, shillings 15, sixpences 6, East India coin 2, continental currency 1." Written in a contemporary hand, this lot was said to have been purchased by "Hill," and on the title page, it is noted that these coins were chiefly from the collection of Jacob of Faversham.

 

This collection is attributed to Edward Jacob (1713–1788), whose Wikipedia page describes him as "an English antiquary, naturalist and mayor from Kent."

It would seem logical that Edward Jacob would have traveled in the same circles as fellow botanist Sir Joseph Banks and his numismatist sister, Sarah Sophia Banks (whose many claims to fame include preserving a Continental dollar with a descriptive leaflet).

Is this catalog selling a Continental dollar? I cannot think of another coin or medal that would be a better fit, but perhaps E-Sylum readers can suggest other ideas.

To read the complete catalog, see:
A catalogue of a collection of ancient and modern coins and medals, in gold, silver, and copper: consisting of Greek, Roman, Saxon, English, &c. many of them rare and in fine preservation: which will be sold by auction, by Mr. Gerard, ... on Wednesday the 20th, ... of February, 1782. ... 1782 (https://archive.org/details/bim_eighteenth-century_a-catalogue-of-a-collect_gerard-mr-john_1782/page/n4/mode/1up)

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
CONTINENTAL DOLLAR OFFERED FOR SALE IN 1785 (https://www.coinbooks.org/v24/esylum_v24n12a10.html)
MORE ON THE 1785 CONTINENTAL DOLLAR SALE (https://www.coinbooks.org/v24/esylum_v24n13a08.html)
1785 CONTINENTAL DOLLAR SALE IN NUREMBERG (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n32a13.html)

	NBS (coinbooks.org) Web