Lot 410
Lot 30410 > Northern Haiti. Henri Christophe silver Pattern 15 Sols 1808 MS63 NGC, Birmingham mint, KM-Pn7, Fonrobert-7488. A choice example of this scarce issue decorated in delicate silver tones over flashy fields, enhancing the presentation of sharp devices rendered to pinpoint accuracy. Commissioned by Henri Christophe in England as part of the project to improve the crude issues of the State of Haiti struck in Cap Haitien. Commercial agent of Henri Christophe, Jean Gabriel Peltier, contacted Matthew Boulton on January 25, 1808, to manufacture dies for three denominations, 30, 15 and 7.5 sols, equivalent to the English 1 shilling, sixpence and threepence. The dies, while differing from the original sketches furnished by Peltier, which stipulated an obverse with a four-line inscription "ETAT - d'HAITY - PIECE DE - 30 SOLS" encircled in a laurel wreath, were skillfully made, as evidenced by the present specimen. They were manufactured at a cost of 105 guineas and delivered to Peltier by John Woodward (agent of Boulton, Watt & Co. in London) on August 3, 1808, together with various Proof sets: 3 triple sets (3 coins per denomination) and 3 normal Proof sets (1 coin per denomination). Together with some pieces undoubtedly kept by Boulton himself (note that many of the few surviving specimens have surfaced in the UK), the former sets account for the scant surviving examples of these charming patterns.
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