1787 Connecticut copper. Miller 1.1-A, W-2700. Rarity-3. Small Head. AU-58 (PCGS).126.3 grains. An exceptional specimen of this unusual and distinctive variety, struck at Machin’s Mills and related to the Vermont series by the common use of this obverse with Ryder-39. Lustrous frost frames the peripheries and devices against even chocolate brown surfaces. Well centered and well struck, with denticles framing the obverse from 6:00 to 3:00 and around the reverse from 5:00 to 2:00, except where affected by a mint clip at the left periphery. Clips are common on this variety, but this one is positioned so as not to affect any legends other than barely touching the top of C in AUCTORI. The date is nice and bold, and the obverse portrait is better detailed than usual. Some faint central granularity is present, typical of the variety. The obverse bulge behind the portrait has begun to show in this die state. This is not a rare variety in pure terms, but it is very popular as a type coin and rarely appears in high grade. This coin was the <em>Guide Book </em>plate coin at the time it was acquired and is now tied for finest certified by PCGS.PCGS Population: 2, none finer.From the Archangel Collection. Earlier, from Stack’s, privately, January 1982.