mid 1700s Rare American Coin Silver Lancet Case w/Great Crest

Description

Presented is a wonderful American silver lancet case. This piece dates to
around the mid 1700s, and we believe it was made by James Elfreth. Whatever the
case, it is certainly a colonial American piece. The case is finely made, with
decorative reeding around the lid, middle, and bottom. One side has a finely
engraved crest of a hand holding a cutlass atop a Scottish style belt-encircled
cartouche. Inside the cartouche is a monogram of RA in Gothic script, against a
textured background. Above the crest is the Latin motto, 'Dirigat Deus.' This
translates to 'May God direct.' This crest and motto is associated with the
Allan name.
This piece is in great overall condition. There are a few minor dings here
and there, as you'd expect from a piece of this age. There is an old solder
repair to the bottom of the case. There are no splits, no breaks, no chips, no
dents, no cracks, no monograms, no monogram removals, and no other repairs.
The case is stamped on the bottom with a maker's mark of JE, twice. We
believe this is the mark for James Elfreth, who was active circa 1750-1765. We
can't be sure this is the maker, as J and E are extremely common initials in
maker's marks, and not all marks from this time period are recorded, not by a
long shot.
The case measures about 2 5/8 by 1 3/8 inches, LxW.
The case weighs 23.3 grams.
-jm
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