1776 Continental Coin Found in Tin Can Auctioned for PHP 1.8 Million
CONTINENTAL COIN – A 248-year-old Continental Currency dollar, minted in 1776 and considered “one of America’s oldest coins,” was recently sold at auction for PHP 1.8 million (approximately US$32,000). The coin was auctioned by Wotton Auction Rooms in Cotswolds, England, on October 3, 2024, and purchased by a private American collector.
The outer layer of the pewter coin features the inscription “Continental Currency 1776,” with pewter being a mix of various metals, typically tin, copper, and antimony. Designed by Benjamin Franklin, the coin showcases an image of the sun and a sundial in its center, along with the phrase “Mind your business.”
The Wotton Auction Rooms website indicated that the coin had been “forgotten about” for a long time. It was discovered in an old toffee tin, alongside various trinkets. The auction house described the coin as “totally fresh to the market,” stating it was recently unearthed from a local property.
Auctioneer Joseph Trinder noted that it is unclear how long the coin had been inside the sealed tin, which had been overlooked by its owner until recently. Once found, the coin was brought to the auction house for assessment. Joseph also revealed that only 6,000 pieces of the Continental dollar were originally minted, with an estimated 100 remaining today. He remarked that this discovery ranks among the top five of his career and is something every auctioneer hopes to find.
To confirm its authenticity, a committee of specialists examined the coin, conducting X-ray and other scientific tests in the U.S. They confirmed its genuineness, leading Joseph to express his delight at having found a coin that dates back to the year of America’s independence, especially since it was discovered in the UK.
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