1787 Machins Mills (Atlee) Counterfeit Halfpenny--Connecticut Reverse muling. Miller 101-G.2, Vlack 13-87CT, W-7890. Rarity-7+. VF-20 (PCGS).128.1 grains. Deep olive brown with microgranularity noted upon close inspection. Natural planchet flaws are noted through the central portrait primarily, with a few less significant ones seen on both sides. The arc of a planchet cutter mark is seen inside the upper reverse rim, while the lower obverse rim is gently beveled. A tiny clip is most visible at 6 oclock on the reverse and slightly impacts the bottom of the central two date digits. Well centered with details clear. <p><p>This is an important rarity that appeals both to collectors of Machins Mills counterfeit halfpennies and Connecticut coppers. The obverse is a Machins Mills die, Vlacks obverse 13, while the reverse is a Connecticut die, Millers G.2, that was used only on this muling and a single Connecticut pairing, M.52-G.2, a great rarity that is missing from nearly all collections, including Syds. Only two of the Connecticuts are reported, and just six are reported of this rare muling, so advanced Connecticut specialists must compete for one of only eight coins that could represent this reverse die.<p><p>This is the Ford specimen, which we last offered in our May 2005 sale, and it is one of just three to appear in our online archives. It seems to be the second finest, behind one published in the Robert Martin notebook and attributed to Richard August. Four others are known, including Twin Leaf, Ted Craige, ANS and a "low-grade" piece reported to have been discovered at a California coin show in 2016, as mentioned in Syds notes. Both sides of this are plated in Clark, and it comes with Ryders neatly written tag identifying the 1925 Chapman provenance.<p>.PCGS# 906476.<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 Henry Chapman, July 1925; Hillyer C. Ryder; F.C.C. Boyd; our (Stacks) sale of the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, Part IX, May 2005, lot 506.
