1787 Connecticut Copper. Miller 6.1-M, W-2820. Rarity-2. Mailed Bust Left, Laughing Head. AU-55 (PCGS).121.6 grains. A superb example of this popular Guide Book type. Though not rare, there is a degree of collecting pressure on stylistically distinctive varieties that other die pairings generally do not attract. Laughing Heads can come nice, but they are not often as nice as this choice piece. Beautiful glossy surfaces have suggestions of actual luster in the fields. Rich chocolate and olive brown on the obverse, while the reverse is slightly more greenish olive. A few minuscule planchet flakes are noted, but are largely invisible without magnification. The strike is ever so slightly off center, though dentils of varying depth are visible around both sides, without breaks. It would be hard to improve upon this specimen, and the provenance to the famous Roper Collection adds appeal.From the Twin Leaf Collection of Connecticut & Massachusetts Coppers. Earlier ex John L. Roper, Stack’s, December 1983:239; Anthony Terranova, 2000.
