1788 Massachusetts Cent. Ryder 1-D, W-6190. Rarity-3-. Period After MASSACHUSETTS. MS-65 BN (NGC).；Easily among the finest known examples of this die pairing, this beautiful Gem also holds tremendous appeal as a high quality type coin. Planchet quality is typical of the variety, the peripheries with minor roughness that is easily overlooked. The centers are remarkably smooth, however, and the overall texture is soft and satiny with no sizeable blemishes. Accuracy compels us to mention a few widely scattered swirls of ancient verdigris, as well as a retained planchet lamination on the reverse at the letter U in MASSACHUSETTS. The strike is generally well centered, although the upper obverse and lower reverse are tight with the borders flush to the feathers atop the Native Americans head and the base of the date. Sharply defined throughout, glints of original faded rose-orange luster around a few of the peripheral letters further confirms this as a premium quality example of both the type and variety.<p>Although not a major rarity in an absolute sense, the 1788 Ryder 1-D Massachusetts cent is typically offered in circulated grades at and below the EF level. We know of only two other coins of comparable quality to this Mint State survivor, the primary Ford coin (Stacks, Ford V, October 2004, lot 114) and the Norweb specimen (Bowers and Merena, Norweb II, March 1988, lot 2658). All three examples are high in the Condition Census.；From the Antony Bettencourt Collection. Earlier ex "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman and Burdette G. Johnson, doing business as St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.; Mary Cruzan; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society; Heritages sale of the Eric P. Newman Collection, Part IV, May 2014, lot 30244.
