1760 Voce Populi halfpenny. Nelson-1, W-13820. Boyish Head. AU-55 (PCGS).109.0 grains. A stellar example of this distinctive variety, showing a youthful bust of much finer style than a typical entry in this series. Deep brown surfaces are frosty, choice, and original, with lighter brown shades around devices where mint color was last to fade. Some old harmless encrustation is noted around design elements, but the surfaces are remarkably free of any post-striking flaw whatsoever. A few natural pits low on the bust are associated with the casting of this coin’s planchet and are not distracting. This is either the nicest or second nicest of these the cataloger has seen that remains in private hands, potentially tied with the one cataloged for the 1995 C4 sale in similar grade. The Lasser coin in Colonial Williamsburg is similarly lovely. The Craige coin was graded AU-50, far above average quality for the variety, and even the Ford VF was a nice example for one of these. This attractive and unusual variety is always avidly sought when nice examples turn up.From the Archangel Collection. Acquired from Stacks, privately, April 1975.
