1787 Connecticut Copper. Miller 1.1-VV, W-2710. Rarity-6+. Mailed Bust Right, Small Head. VG Details—Repaired (PCGS).116.9 grains. Dark brown surfaces are clearly granular but evenly so, giving the piece a rather consistent and pleasing sheen. No damage is immediately apparent and just a trace of minor planchet roughness is noted at the center of Liberty. Looking closer it becomes clear that long ago the surfaces were abraded all over, probably in an ill-advised attempt to smooth the roughness a bit. This seems to have inspired the “repaired” designation from PCGS, which is not technically correct. We see no evidence of any type of restoration. Regardless, the result of the work done long ago, while not desired in a technical sense, is not unattractive. The unevenness seen on this piece is actually typical of this rare variety. What appears to be a dent between AUC and TORI is actually a die flaw and seen on others. The same is true of the bulge at the back of the head. Centered just a hair to the left on both sides with the leftmost legends crowded, though all letters are completely on the flan. The same is true of the date, though in most cases the wear has weakened the outer portions of the letters.pNearly every example seen of this rarity has its problems, though the Taylor and Ford coins would be notable exceptions. The Peter Scherff coin was heavily porous, the Anderson-Gleckler piece was roughly pinscratched and the Newman coin, though sharper, was obviously rough and tooled. Perkins didn’t have one at all, nor was there one in Collection SLT.From the Twin Leaf Collection of Connecticut & Massachusetts Coppers. Earlier ex Bowers and Ruddy, October 1976:558; Anthony Terranova, 2001.
