the Colonial coins of the United States They form a set highly sought after by collectors. Their limited survival, coupled with the context in which they were produced, generates interest among those specializing in numismatics. One of the most famous pieces is known as “Lord Baltimore“, It relates to the Maryland colony and is today considered an object of high value Which can be sold for up to $126,500.
This set of samples comes from A Private coins attributed to Cecil Calvertformer Governor L Colony of Newfoundland 2nd Baron (Lord) Baltimore, It was done between 1658 and 1659Although some specialists point out that it could have extended beyond those years.
According to the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), the coins were circulated in the period… Maryland’s economy requires its own monetary instruments to facilitate exchangeDue to the lack of minerals and dependence on tobacco as a means of payment.
Although the broadcast is designed to meet local needs, Its presence sparked a legal struggle that ended with the issuance of an arrest warrant for Calvert and the confiscation of coins and minting implements.. There is no record of the judicial process that followed, but Baron Baltimore remained alive until 1675, suggesting that the conflict did not result in harsh rulings.
precedent of Maryland coins It dates back to 1632, when George Calvert1st Lord Baltimore and member of the London Company, obtained a royal charter for it He gave him control of the lands that later became the state of Maryland. His son Cecil Calvert inherited the grant by a document signed after his father’s death.
The colony’s economy depends largely on the production of tobacco and its exchange through this product.. By the 1650s, commodity prices began to rise and the absence of metal parts created difficulties. In this context, Cecil Calvert said Decided to order Minting coins in England With his own photoWith the intention of sending it to Maryland for daily use.
The decision contravenes English regulations relating to mineral exports. According to subsequent investigations by Heritage Auctions, the accusation against the 2nd Baron Baltimore concerned not only the issue of the coin; The weight is less than the standard set by the Tower of London and with the silver pieces being transported abroadThis is prohibited under the legislation in force at that time.
Confiscation of coins and dies could explain the current shortage of coins. Added to this is The possibility that part of the coin will be lost or melted down over time. The few that have remained prevalent in Maryland for at least a decade and It ended up with a lot of damage, holes or corrosion To be used in transactions or as decoration.
Modern records agree Copies in rare good condition. According to PCGS data, Only 38 pieces were approvedmost with ratings ranging from XF “Very good” (Very good) and AU “About Uncirculated” (Almost unpopular).
One sample reached this category MS61 “Mint Condition” (Mint Condition), highlighting the difficulty of finding coins in an excellent state of preservation.
Coins minted under Calvert’s authority included various denominations:
They all displayed a bust of Cecil Calvert and his heraldic shieldThese are the elements that reaffirmed the status granted by the royal decree. The authenticity of a Lord Baltimore coin depends on the accuracy of its details, the style of the image, and the thickness of the metal.
Some pieces have Minor offsets in the stamping process or marks associated with the use of rollers. Other characteristics to consider include:
The highest recorded sale of a coin of this issue corresponds to a specimen certified as AU58+which was auctioned at Heritage Auctions by 126,500 US dollars.
Maryland shillings are particularly difficult to find in good condition due to the quality of the coins of the period and the methods used to manufacture them. For this reason, Collectors tend to prioritize pieces that retain their original appearance and show few signs of restoration or polishing..
The PCGS Price Guide indicates this The cost of a Lord Baltimore coin can range from US$8,000 to US$95,000.depending on his condition. The variation responds to factors such as wear, fineness of detail and the rating obtained.
However, the record figure of US$126,500 shows that in exceptional cases, Demand can greatly exceed these numbers.