1783 Gold & Silver 13-Sided Nova Constellatio 2-pc Set NGC MS70 First Day of Issue w/Smithsonian® Label

The Colonial Coin That Might Have Been

In the early 1780s, there was no consistency among the coinage used throughout the United States. Some people used coins from other countries and others used money that was unique to their region. The value of goods fluctuated from state to state, and the accepted currency also differed. As a result, transactions were burdensome.  Despite the fact that the Articles of Confederation gave Congress the "sole and exclusive right and power of regulating the alloy and value of coins struck by their own authority, or by that of the respective states," it didn't provide any guidelines, which begged the question "How do you go about setting up a new system that will work for every state?"

The First Coins Struck Under The Authority Of The United States

Several options were proposed, including one—the Nova Constellatio—in 1783 by Founding Father Robert Morris, the nation's Superintendent of Finances and the man credited with financing the Revolutionary War. Morris' proposal was intended to unite America's currency system and allow for easy conversion between the many foreign coins in use at the time. The Nova Constellatio system was based on a small monetary unit and appeared in three silver denominations: the mark (1,000 units), the quint (500 units) and the bit (100 units), as well as a copper piece worth five units. Morris' proposal used something very commonplace today—decimal accounting—but this was the first time a coinage system like this had been seen in the Americas or even Western Europe. The proposal was rejected, but not before a few exploratory pieces were minted—the first coins struck under the authority of The United States of America!

Key Pieces Of American Numismatic History

With Morris's proposal failing to meet congressional approval, the few Nova Constellatio coins that were struck are exceedingly rare. The first pattern coins to emerge from the newly independent United States, the Nova Constellatio coins represent early innovative efforts to unify America's monetary system fresh from throwing off the shackles of British rule, their simple, yet powerful, designs proclaiming America's place as a new constellation in the universe of nations. A key piece of U.S. Numismatic history, some of the few surviving patterns reside in the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian® in Washington, D.C.

Officially Authorized Smithsonian commemoratives

In honor of the 240th anniversary of the 1783 Nova Constellatio patterns, the Smithsonian has authorized commemoratives of the rare U.S. patterns. The obverse depicts the Eye of Providence surrounded by light rays and a constellation of 13 stars, representing the 13 original states. The words NOVA CONSTELLATIO, Latin for "New Constellation," encircle the design. Struck with special, 13-sided planchets. The reverse symbolizes victory represented by a laurel wreath surrounding U.S. and the denomination of 500 x units. This is encircled by the date 1783 and the words LIBERTAS JUSTITIA. "Libertas" for Liberty/Freedom.

Officially Authorized Reproductions

These officially authorized reproductions were struck at the Commonwealth Mint, a world-renowned mint located in Birmingham, England where its engravers closely studied images of the patterns deemed to be the most beautiful, then reproduced the designs in exacting detail with a unique antique finish to give the pieces the same look and feel as the originals. An antiqued finish provides an aged, satin effect to the fields, while also highlighting the raised devices. Traditionally applied by hand, this tactile antique finish means that no two pieces in this release are exactly alike!

Here you can a two-piece set that consists of pieces struck in one ounce of 99.9% pure (24 karat) gold and two ounces of highly pure 99.9% fine silver. What's more, each piece has been graded by the Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) as being in flawless Uncirculated Mint state-70 (MS70) condition, a distinction that means these perfectly-graded commemoratives will have ZERO imperfections—showing all features and fields exactly as the engraver and mint intended. In addition, NGC has certified that these 1783 Nova Constellatio Pattern Restrikes are First Day of Issue (FDI) pieces, meaning they were received by NGC or an NGC-approved depository by the release date or on the business day within 24 hours of the official release date.

Hurry: Availability Is Extremely Limited!

The authorized mintage for these commemoratives is extremely small with just 499 two-ounce silver pieces and only 99 one-ounce gold pieces authorized for worldwide release—and fewer of those qualified for a perfect MS70 grade with an FDI designation. Each set will come beautifully housed in a premium wood case branded with the iconic Smithsonian Sunburst logo and accompanied by a mint-issued Certificate of Authenticity along with a story booklet that tells the story behind the 1783 Nova Constellatio patterns. Don't delay; secure these impressive pieces of American history for your collection today!

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS:

• TRIBUTE TO AMERICA'S FIRST PATTERN COINS - These commemoratives pay tribute to the 240th Anniversary of the 1783 Nova Constellatio series, the first pattern coins struck under the authority of the United States. The design on these 13-sided commemoratives depicts the Eye of Providence on the obverse while the reverse symbolizes victory represented by a laurel wreath surrounding U.S. and the denomination of 500 x units.
• STRUCK IN HIGHLY PURE GOLD & SILVER - Each 1783 Nova Constellatio Commemorative was struck by England's prestigious Commonwealth Mint. The silver piece was struck in two ounces of highly pure 99.9% fine silver and measures 38.6 mm in diameter and the gold piece was struck in an ounce of 99.9% pure (24 karat) gold and measures 30 mm in diameter.
• LICENSED AND APPROVED BY THE SMITHSONIAN - These commemoratives are officially licensed and approved by the Smithsonian.
• UNIQUE ANTIQUE FINISH - These 1783 Gold & Silver 13-Sided Nova Constellatio Commemoratives feature a unique antique finish that provides an aged, satin effect to the fields, while also highlighting the raised devices.
• PERFECT UNCIRCULATED CONDITION - Each piece in your 1783 Gold & Silver 13-Sided Nova Constellatio Two-Piece Commemorative Set has been graded by the Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) in perfect Uncirculated Mint State-70 (MS70) condition.
• KEY FIRST DAY OF ISSUE CERTIFICATION - NGC has certified that these commemorative are First Day of Issue (FDI) releases, independent authentication that they were released by the mint during the premier day of the series' issue.
• EXTREMELY SMALL EDITION LIMIT - The authorized mintage for these commemoratives is extremely small with just 499 two-ounce silver pieces and only 99 one-ounce gold pieces authorized for worldwide release.

Only a handful of 1783 Nova Constellatio pattern coins still exist. Now you can secure a 1783 Gold & Silver 13-Sided Nova Constellatio Two-Piece Commemorative Set that's officially authorized by the Smithsonian® and comes in Mint State-70 First Day of Issue condition!