My father tells me that he has a Rosa Americana which has no printing on the back. His estimate from photos is that it is from 1733. He also says that it does not appear that the reverse side was worn off, but rather, was never printed. The coin was found buried in New England about 20 years ago. It is not in great shape, but good. Can anyone provide either more info on this coin or where I can get more info? Is the fact that there is no reverse significant, or was that common in those days? Most sincerely, John Breen
Could you post a photo of the piece? Breen (Walter Breen, that is) states that many copies/fakes/counterfeits exist, but doesn't mention anything about a blank reverse. At the time these were struck, a lot of weird things were likely to happen. Does the piece show significant wear?
"The last of the ROSA AMERICANA issues were a few copper pattern Twopence pieces dated 1733, struck at 25 to the pound. Their makers (Wood's heirs?) apparently intended to make a new coinage proposal to King George II, but nothing came of it. These Twopences are in very high relief, suitable more to medals than to coins (they will not stack); their designs have made them among the most coveted coins in the Early Ameriecan series." Thus sayeth Walter Breen in his Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins Your best bet would be to have it authenticated by ANACS.
There are more fakes and copies of the early American coppers than there are original examples. I can find no referrence of any Rosa Americana coin with a blank reverse. More than likely, this coin is a copy.
The circulation Rosa Americana coins are all dated either 1723 or are undated.They all have the portrait of King George I (reigned 1714-27).They were rejected as being too brassy,just like Woods' Irish coinage was rejected by the Irish themselves. If you read Jonathan Swift's 'Drapier's Letter's',you will find out where I am coming from.
There are very good electrotypes of the 1733 2d Patterns; I have three. Since electrotypes are made in halves and then joined to a core, it's possible one of the shells later fell off the core, leaving what looks to be a "one-sided coin". Chuck
