1787 Fugio Copper. Club Rays. Newman 4-E, W-6685. Rarity-3. Rounded Ends. AU-50 (PCGS).Remarkable preservation for a Club Rays Fugio showing as much or more frosty luster than we’ve ever seen on this type. There are even a few tiny traces of mint color around the letters of FUGIO. Very early die state with crisp detail on the sun face and rays which becomes weakened by die wear and cracks and appears rather soft on most specimens. Medium olive-brown with some deeper red patina and dark woodgrain toning on the obverse due to some planchet imperfections on that side. Attractive overall with no contact marks and just a few light planchet flaws. While the census is not perfectly nailed down for this variety, it’s clear that both examples of 4-E on this list beat out almost every other high grade piece sold in recent memory and we feel confident calling both “condition census.”Ex Thomas Elder October 1918, lot 1024 ; Hillyer Ryder - F.C.C. Boyd Estate ; John J. Ford, Jr. Stack’s Cotober 2003, lot 240.
