1786 Connecticut Copper. Miller 5.4-N, W-2585. Rarity-6+. Mailed Bust Left. VF-35 (NGC).Lovely reddish olive brown with very faint steel highlights and generous surface gloss on both sides. Close inspection reveals just a trace of microporosity in places, but at the same time, reveals this to be a very nice coin overall. A couple of very small natural flaws are nestled into the framework of the design on the reverse, with a smaller barely noticeable pair in the left obverse field. Surface marks are trivial, and much of what appears to fit this description is likely natural planchet texture that did not strike out in the weak area toward the lower right of the obverse. The reverse die is sunken at the upper right which caused weakness in this area as well as the aforementioned shoulder area of the effigy. This is a typical feature of this rare variety.pWe have handled very few examples of this variety over the years. The Frederick Taylor specimen went to George Perkins and thus represented the variety in both of these landmark sales. That was called VG-8 at the time, and though it had better detail it was perhaps net-graded a bit due to cleaning and porosity. It also had notable flaws through the effigy’s face. Still, this was the best one either of these collectors could find. Notably, Eric Newman did not have one at all. Meanwhile, the Collection SLT coin was low grade and roughened by corrosion. The finest we have seen is the John Ford specimen, which seems to be an earlier die state than this. It was called “AU” and noted by Michael Hodder to be the best of the seven he had seen. That piece sold for $27,600 in 2005. Though there is considerable weakness on the present piece, the surface quality seems quite a bit nicer than the grade assigned. It is likely a Condition Census example and is certainly suitable for a very advanced cabinet of Connecticuts. This is a very challenging variety and waiting for a better one will not likely be soon rewarded.From the Twin Leaf Collection of Connecticut & Massachusetts Coppers. Earlier ex Old New England Collection, Heritage, April 2014:3703, via Anthony Terranova.
