1788 Massachusetts Cent. Ryder 15-M, W-6400. Rarity-5-. VF-30 (PCGS).139.1 grains. Pleasing glossy olive brown with an arc of ruddy steel across the upper obverse and a couple of smaller areas of similar patina on the reverse. One small retained lamination is seen on the lower right reverse and some minor natural roughness is visible at the centers. No serious marks but there are a few minor rim bumps noted. A scarcer variety that was unknown to Ryder and is generally represented in collections today by a Fine or occasionally Very Fine specimen, frequently with problems. This one is nicer than most seen. Taylor’s was a little sharper but on a more flawed planchet. The Ford Collection included two, one on a very flawed planchet, the other similar to this one. The variety was missing from Newman and Partrick.From the Twin Leaf Collection of Connecticut & Massachusetts Coppers. Earlier ex Fifth Annual C4 Convention Sale, November 1999:234; Sixth Annual C4 Convention Sale, November 2000:305; Bowers and Merena, March 2003:215.
