1787 Connecticut Copper. Miller 7-I, W-2830. Rarity-6. Mailed Bust Left, Hercules Head. MS-62 BN (NGC).151.2 grains. A simply outstanding example of this popular and elusive variety, this is far and away the finest known survivor from the 1787 Miller 7-I dies. Charming autumn-brown and medium copper patina blends nicely over satiny surfaces. Glossy in texture and overall smooth in hand, we note only inconsequential ticks and light surface scale in isolated areas. The centers are a bit softly defined with some original planchet texture remaining, both partially attributable to the fact that the strike was insufficient to force metal fully into the most recessed areas of the dies. Additionally, bulges and cracks on the obverse point to a later, deteriorated die state. The NGC holder allows ready appreciation of a digit 7 painted on the left edge -- a famous hallmark of coins once owned by Dr. Thomas Hall (see provenance listing below). This is the famous Hercules Head obverse die also used in the 1786 Miller 5.3-G and 5.3-N pairings, its 1787-dated Miller 7-I marriage a notable rarity with only about two dozen specimens known. The present example is alone with its CC#1 ranking, being finer than the Ford and Oechsner coins in VF, and also the Taylor and Perkins examples in Choice Fine and Fine, respectively. A find for the discerning collector that belongs in the finest Connecticut copper cabinet.Ex Dr. Thomas Hall; Virgil Brand; Brand estate; Burdette G. Johnson; Eric P. Newman; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society; Heritages sale of the Eric P. Newman Collection, Part IV, May 2014, lot 30083; Heritages Long Beach Signature Auction of June 2017, lot 3510.