1788 Connecticut Copper. Miller 13-A.1, W-4535. Rarity-5. Mailed Bust Left, CONNLC. EF-40 (PCGS).114.7 grains. Lovely olive brown surfaces are hard and glossy, accented by some light tan mottling and a trace of mint red tightly outlining the back of the effigy’s head. No flaws or serious defects of any kind. Somewhat unevenly struck and off center on both sides, which is more often than not the case for this scarce pairing. It is a desirable variety for the CONNLC engraver’s error, and it is among those listed in the Guide Book, adding to the demand. As specialists know, this obverse is only known in this pairing. Where the strike is sharp, the fields show fine die finishing lines, an element not frequently seen on a Connecticut. The reverse is bisected by a crack from the rim right of Liberty’s head, to the rim below the I of INDE.pIt was described as a “small trophy for the Connecticut die variety collector” in our July 2005 Coin Galleries sale, and this seems to remain the case more than a decade later as we are aware of only one finer, the Garrett coin which is obviously superior. None of the other great collections we have handled have produced anything to rival this example, and the relatively recent offerings from the Eric Newman holdings didn’t come close. This piece brought just shy of $9,000 in our July 2005 sale, when it was last offered at public auction.From the Twin Leaf Collection of Connecticut & Massachusetts Coppers. Earlier ex Coin Galleries, July 2005:1270; Anthony Terranova, September 2005.
