1788 Massachusetts Cent. Ryder 12-H, W-6320. Rarity-7. No Period After MASSACHUSETTS. Fine-12 (PCGS).This specimen of Ryder 12-H represents not only a new addition to the previous census of 11 or 12 known examples, but also the first attributed auction appearance of this extremely rare variety in over 2 decades-although some have sold on eBay and other live auctions without proper attribution, the last one to be sold correctly identified was in our September 1995 Stacks auction. Though rated only a single "R" by Ryder in 1920, while other now more common varieties were rated much higher, Ryder 12-H has retained its rarity over the last century. All the great variety collections of Massachusetts coppers sold at auction have lacked this die combination, starting with that of Ryder himself and continuing with those of F.C.C. Boyd, John J. Ford, Jr., the Norweb Family, Frederick Taylor, Donald Partrick, Eric Newman, Mike Demling and even the Twin Leaf Collection offered elsewhere in this auction. While obverse 12 is used in no less than 6 different combinations, including one for 1787, this is the only appearance of reverse H in the Massachusetts Cent series, and it may have failed early in its life, not to be married with another obverse again. This example is very distinctive, the obverse displaying some thin laminations beneath COMM and through WEAL, as well as on the Indians tunic. The reverse is absent any specific markings, though both surfaces are ever so subtly granular amidst an overall hard gloss; it also may be the reverse used by Bob Vlack in his somewhat fuzzy 1978 photographic plate of Massachusetts copper die marriages. Here is a very rare opportunity for the Massachusetts copper specialist to acquire this key to the series that many of the great collectors of yesteryear were wholly unable to acquire.Thanks to Michael Packard for his assistance in the cataloguing of this lot.
