1787 Fugio Copper. Pointed Rays. Newman 19-M, W-6970. Rarity-6. STATES UNITED. 4 Cinquefoils. VF-35.，168.0 grains. Medal turn. At least EF in terms of sharpness, with full numerals visible and well defined on the sundial. Rob included this piece as VF in his census, but (ever frank, as he typically was) described it as "sharper but corroded and recolored." The current dark charcoal patina shows hints of ruddy undertones at rims and centers, revealing the fact that the piece was fairly professionally recolored at some point. The surfaces are evenly granular, not so much as to swallow detail but enough to merit a no-grade from PCGS. The top of the reverse is the only area showing more significant granularity than elsewhere. A single fine hairline scratch is present between ES of STATES on the reverse. Rob included this as thirteenth best in his census, one of just 18 he recorded. Those not included by Rob are undoubtedly well worn and likely offer more problematical surfaces than those seen here. A few of the finer pieces also show some roughness, including Eric Newmans own specimen and the Boyd-Ford coin, which showed a few divots where corrosion had been tooled off. For this variety, this is actually a strong specimen. Rob listed just two at grades better than VF: the Norweb coin and the McLaughlin specimen.From the Retz Family Collection sold in our November 2012 Baltimore Sale, lot 6818; Pierre Fricke Collection.
