1785 Connecticut Copper. Miller 3.3-F.3, W-2335. Rarity-4. Mailed Bust Right. AU-55 (PCGS).139.0 grains. Lovely steel brown with gentle mottling in the patina. Trivially lighter on the higher points but fairly consistent in tone otherwise. Areas of natural planchet porosity have not been struck out near the centers of both sides. On the reverse, an area of shallow striations is seen near Liberty’s head, and on the obverse, a small area of similar roughness is visible near the rim at 7:00. A larger planchet imperfection is neatly nestled beneath CO of CONNEC and is somewhat inconspicuous. A trace of old and apparently stable oxidation is noted in this area, but requires magnification to see. Beautifully centered with robust definition of the legends. Minor weakness at both obverse center and Liberty’s head.pFar superior to the Taylor, Collection SLT, and Newman pieces, nicer than Oechsner and Perkins and somewhat finer also than Ford:205, though apparently a later die state with some waviness in the fields which gives some elements a softer appearance. This said, the sharpness of detail in the intricacies of the design is better on this piece, edging out Ford’s as the finer of the two. Only somewhat scarce as a variety, but a really lovely 1785 Connecticut with a desirable provenance back to John L. Roper.From the Twin Leaf Collection of Connecticut & Massachusetts Coppers. Earlier ex John L. Roper, Stack’s, December 1983:226; Stack’s, May 2000:27.
