1786 Connecticut Copper. Miller 5.3-N, W-2575. Rarity-2. Mailed Bust Left, Hercules Head. VF Details—Tooled (PCGS).148.2 grains. Dark brown surfaces appear pleasantly glossy despite fine granularity that is visible upon close inspection. Fairly uniform in tone, but ever so slightly lighter on the reliefs increasing the visual appeal. Though this is called “tooled” on the PCGS holder, we see no evidence of this. There is a small imperfect area on the obverse at the CT of AUCTORI which appears very much like a natural planchet flaw that has evened out a bit with handling and oxidation, and this may have been mistaken for damage. Nicely centered with good detail on the obverse, while the reverse is softer, as typical. This is the early die state without evidence of reverse clash marks and only light waviness on the reverse. In later states, the clash marks are much better defined and the sinking of the reverse far more dramatic. Quite similar to Ford:257, though perhaps slightly less sharp.From the Twin Leaf Collection of Connecticut & Massachusetts Coppers. Earlier ex John “Jack” Royse, Stack’s Bowers, November 2012:6036.
