1785年康涅狄格州铜币 NGC VF-Details
1785 Connecticut Copper. Miller 4.2-F.6, W-2360. Rarity-8. Mailed Bust Right. VF Details— Damaged (NGC).131.2 grains. One of the most important entries in the Twin Leaf Collection of Connecticut coppers, just as it would be in any cabinet of this specialty. This is one of the great rarities of the series, a variety known to Thomas Hall and Henry Miller, though mistaken for another pairing, and not properly identified as to its true nature until Eric P. Newman realized it in 1966, and Edward Barnsley published the discovery in the Colonial Newsletter in January 1972. At the time, two examples had been identified and now, more than 45 years later, there are reportedly just three known, suggesting a remarkable stability of rarity.pThe surfaces are a bit glossy, yet have a fine microporosity when studied under magnification. A bit of verdigris is also noted just beneath the chin of the portrait. The reliefs and more exposed areas of the fields are largely deep tan and brown while the surrounding surfaces exhibit somewhat darker patina that nicely showcases the design features. The proverbial elephant in the room is the unfortunate damage which seems to have resulted from three blunt blows to the reverse. These were described by B.G. Johnson in his listing of Hall’s Connecticuts (#1714) as “hammer marks,” which they may be, but they do not distort the coin much beyond the angled points of impact. As a result, the coin is wavy in places but flatter than what might be suggested by “hammer blows,” and a good bit of the design detail is unaffected. The distinctive portrait is clear, including the hair styling that clearly differentiates this obverse from the other African Head die. On both sides, the legends are unaffected by the impairments and remain clear and legible. Liberty is the most affected element, yet the feet, legs, shield, globe, some of the torso, head and top of the staff are clear. The date is partially off the flan due to a slight misalignment on this side, but it is visible.pWe are aware of just two public sales of this variety. The first was the sale of the W. Philip Keller specimen in 2010. That coin was graded VF-30 by NGC and realized $115,000. Keller had acquired the coin in March 1966, just about the same time Eric Newman confirmed his discovery. This is likely the other coin referenced in the aforementioned 1972 article. The second sale was the May 2014 offering of this coin, when Eric Newman’s personal collection of Connecticuts was sold. Though the coin has its noted imperfections, it is Newman’s discovery piece and as such it holds a special place in the history of the study of the state coinage of Connecticut. It realized $70,500 at the time. It is a landmark rarity and a true prize for the advanced collector of this fascinating and challenging series. As if a cherry on top, it comes with a delightful provenance back to Dr. Thomas Hall, whose attribution number will be found on the edge, in white. It goes without saying that nearly every major collection of Connecticuts that has come to market has been without this variety. Its inclusion here places the Twin Leaf Collection a step above most.From the Twin Leaf Collection of Connecticut & Massachusetts Coppers. Earlier ex Dr. Thomas Hall; Virgil M. Brand; Burdette G. Johnson; Eric P. Newman, Heritage, Newman Part IV, May 2014:30055.
