1760 Voce Populi Halfpenny. Nelson-3, Zelinka 7-E, W-13930. Rarity-3. VOOE. MS-64 BN (PCGS).116.4 grains. Glossy, golden-brown surfaces are fully lustrous and wholly unworn, preserving the fine, crisscrossing die lines on the obverse that are the first things to go with even the briefest of circulation. In the reverse fields, the radial flowlines created by die wear are clearly visible, accentuating the luster on this side. On both faces the last vestiges of original mint red color can be seen in the intricacies of the devices and legends, notably at the letters OPUL and HIB. A subtle softness in the central strike is all that holds this coin from a MS-65 or even MS-66 grade, in our opinion. Strike is otherwise bold, with the planchet spread out from the force of the strike, which was centered toward the bottom of the obverse and more evenly centered on the reverse, where at least some denticulation is visible around 100% of the circumference. <p>The VOOE variety is full and clear, with the die chip at C of VOCE filling the full distance of the opening of the C and essentially transforming it into an O. This example far exceeds the circulated examples in the otherwise comprehensive Zelinka (Taylor sale), Norweb, Ryder-Boyd-Ford, McGrath and Bibbins collections of Voce Populis, as well as every other major colonial offering we have surveyed. Very few Mint State survivors have come to market, and this particular example is tied for finest certified at PCGS with the James A. Stack coin. That piece is comparable in many ways but this one appears to be overall smoother and glossier, as the James A. Stack piece has a soft central strike that allows the planchets original texture to show through. We would venture a guess that this example, hailing from another numismatically famous Stacks collection, may be the finest known example of the <em>Guide Book</em> listed VOOE type. <p>.PCGS# 924113. NGC ID: 2AUD.<strong>To view supplemental information and all items from the Sydney F. Martin Collection, click<a href="https://stacksbowers.com/sydney-f-martin-collection/"target=’_blank’> here.</a></strong>.From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex the Lawrence R. Stack Collection, November 2006. Syds envelope records an erroneous Norweb Collection provenance.