Undated (ca. 1940s) Fugio Copper Restrike Reverse Impression. Gold. Newman Reverse-GG, Breen-1330. Unique. MS-62 (PCGS).187.5 grains. 30.8 mm x 30.2 mm. An incredibly significant rarity from the Fugio series offered alongside the gold impression of Newman Obverse-102 in the previous lot. Slightly irregular in shape with a subtle flatness to the 6 oclock edge relative to the obverse. The central ring with AMERICAN CONGRESS and the interior rays remains sharply defined, while the region of softness near the upper border is as-made and visible on all impressions of Reverse-GG. Similarly, patches of pitting within the rings are relics of the die. Areas of darker slate-grey patina are a complement to the overall brassy-gold coloration and original surfaces. The rims are largely flat and level, showing only a slight relief where the denticles are boldly defined. On the reverse, J.JARVIS U.S 1787 is stamped in raised letters, off-center near the lower left border. The 1 of the date is entirely unstruck while the 8 is just a faint outline. Blooms of satiny, apricot luster surround these devices and contribute to the overall delightful eye appeal. A few light hairlines become apparent under scrutiny but none of these are individually distracting. This unique rarity had fascinated the likes of John J. Ford, Jr., Eric P. Newman, and F.C.C. Boyd over the last century, inspiring considerable correspondence and discussion in the search for answers regarding its origin. Breen acknowledged it is a significant numismatic issue when he included it as number 1330 in his Complete Encyclopedia (1988) and it now represents an important opportunity for any advanced specialist of the Fugio series. Newman writes in United States Fugio Copper Coinage of 1787 (2008) that Reverse-GG is one of the "five parts of the dies" originally obtained by Horatio Rust from the Broom and Platt hardware store in New Haven, CT in 1859. Unfortunately, this die has been lost, and there are no known die-struck coins from this reverse. Reverse-GG is also remarkable because it demonstrates the AMERICAN CONGRESS design type, which is only available in Restrike format or in the prohibitively rare Newman 1-CC marriage, for which there are only three examples known. This gold example has been closely held as part of the F.C.C. Boyd Estate for much of the 20th century and it is now emerging for the first time in at least six decades. Ex F.C.C. Boyd Estate
