1787 Massachusetts Cent. Ryder 3-G, W-6090. Rarity-3-. MS-63BN (PCGS).145.7 grains. Delightfully original dusky light brown with nuances of pale blue in some of the recesses, while traces of olive and subtle brick blend into the reverse. Unmistakable original luster through the fields intensifies among the letters of the legend and close to the devices. A few tiny handling marks are scattered about, including one very small scratch over the T of WEALTH, but this won’t be detected without magnification and there is nothing to detract from the overall aesthetic in the least. A bit of darkness in the E of WEALTH made this easy to confirm as the Norweb coin, a valuable provenance that had been disassociated from this piece over the years. Minor weakness is noted at the center of the Indian, but this piece is well struck overall, and better so than seen on the second of the three Gem coins sold in the 2015 Partrick sale. This variety is a bit more common than some and it is one that comes nice, making it ideal for collectors of high-quality type coins. It is very attractive and with its desirable provenance, a piece with much to offer even the most discriminating collector.From the Twin Leaf Collection of Connecticut & Massachusetts Coppers. Earlier ex Norweb Collection, Bowers and Merena, March 1988:2652; Stack’s, January 1993:967; William O’Donnell, Stack’s, January 2001:85; Anthony Terranova, 2002.