1787 Fugio copper. Newman 17-S, W-6935. Rarity-3. Pointed Rays, STATES UNITED. AU-58+ (PCGS).158.0 grains. A Condition Census caliber specimen of this scarce Newman variety. Frosty and lustrous medium brown with excellent eye appeal. The obverse is smooth and choice, the reverse is less frosty and more glossy but still exceptionally attractive, with some blended mahogany highlights across the center. Well struck and perfectly centered on both sides. Some very shallow striations are seen at the base of the reverse, but this piece is otherwise problem free. This piece was long carried in various Condition Census listings, mostly by Rob Retz, as an Uncirculated coin; it is certainly close enough that a good breakfast or a splash of sunshine might change its assignment back to that someday. This coin is right near the top of the census for this variety, either tied with or just behind the Ayers specimen we sold in our February 2014 Americana sale as lot 435, a MS-62 BN (PCGS) formerly sold in the 1986 Ezra Cole sale. Retz’s own was a choice EF that probably still merits a spot in this variety’s Condition Census, and this variety is generally scarce in grades of EF and above.From the Archangel Collection. Earlier, from Pine Tree’s sale of the Elizabeth Morton Collection, October 1975, lot 677.
