1788 Vermont Copper. RR-23, Bressett 10-O, W-2175. Rarity-4. Bust Right. AU-55 (PCGS).122.1 grains. Reverse rotated about 100 degrees counterclockwise from medal turn. A beautiful and high grade example of this variety, certainly among the finest known. Frosty medium brown on both sides, a bit mottled on the obverse, more glossy and lustrous on the reverse. Very well struck for the variety, nicely centered on both sides, denticles present everywhere but the upper right quadrant on the obverse but framing the entire circumference on the reverse. A bit of shallow surface detritus is seen in the lower left obverse, but no other issues on that side aside from some trivial marks at center. The reverse shows some flecks of surface plaque around the seated figures pole arm, at her knee, and above I of INDE. A thin scratch traces the path of the vertical die crack behind her head, and another light vertical scratch crosses her brand arm on its way to her knee. The sharpness and visual appeal are truly excellent, far surpassing most examples from these dies. The reverse die state is the typical one. This is the only use of this reverse die.<p>The Garrett-Partrick-Syd Martin coin is the unquestioned finest known, a PCGS MS-63 BN that sold for $66,000 in our sale of August 2023. Having been off the market and off the radar for a couple decades by the time of the 2003 Ford sale, its not surprising it was overlooked in the cataloguing of Fords VF Ryder-23, which noted the Carlotto plate coin may be the finest (even if softly struck), followed by Taylors, the Bennington Museum coin, and the Norweb and Vermont Historical Society EFs. After the Syd Martin coin, the Ford coin is the next best example weve sold this century, with no particularly close contenders. When discussing this specimen in his book, Tony Carlotto noted the piece illustrated here is a nice uncirculated example, although not fully struck up like some Vermont bust rights. This coin would have to be seen in the flesh to appreciate its surface and quality. The Taylor coin was sold as an NGC MS-62 BN in the 2015 Partrick sale. The only other example of similar quality we know of is an obscure but high grade example graded AU-55 (PCGS) that was sold in Heritages 1997 ANA sale as lot 5811, there described as Quite possibly the finest Vermont copper known of this or any variety. Most of the original mint luster still remains on the reddish-brown surfaces. While that coin isnt the best Ryder-23, let alone the finest Vermont copper, it was well struck and high grade, earning it a Condition Census spot for sure. This piece ranks close behind, and its inclusion would improve most advanced collections.PCGS# 800837. BASE PCGS# 563. NGC ID: 2B5D.From the Richard August Collection.
