1787 Massachusetts Cent. Ryder 8-G, W-6160. Rarity-6+. VG-8 (PCGS).143.7 grains. Olive brown surfaces are flecked with deep tan mottling on both sides. A few ancient scratches and tiny nicks have been softened to a degree over the years by natural wear, with the overall appearance relatively smooth in spite of some microporosity and series of small natural planchet flaws. Typical weakness at the centers, though the coin seems to have been evenly struck and has a well-balanced appearance.pThe only other example we are aware of having been sold in recent years is the Norweb coin that appeared in the January 2015 sale of the Donald Partrick Collection. That coin was graded VF-20, but was fairly porous, had obvious countermarks on both sides, and a small reverse scratch. Quite unlike that one, the present coin is pleasantly smooth in comparison, aside from the noted natural flaws. The Partrick coin sold for $4,700 in 2015. Though this example is more worn, it is arguably a much more pleasing specimen overall. The variety was missing from Garrett, Taylor, Ford, and Newman. In fact, the Partrick coin is the only one we have seen publicly offered for sale over the last decade or more.From the Twin Leaf Collection of Connecticut & Massachusetts Coppers. Earlier ex Tom Rinaldo Collection; Stephen Tanenbaum; Stephen Tanenbaum Estate, via Anthony Terranova, July 2011.
