1786 Connecticut Copper. Miller 5.2-H.1, W-2545. Rarity-6+. Mailed Bust Left. VF-30 (PCGS).136.9 grains. In our January 2013 offering of this example, we described it as “<em>A superb example of a variety that was called R-5 when Ted Craige enveloped his specimen, R-6 in the 1975 EAC sale, R-5+ in Norweb and Taylor, R-6+ in Perkins, and R-6+ to R-7- in Ford, when a firmer census identified just 11 specimens. This example appears to be new to the census and likewise appears to threaten the top echelon of known pieces, perhaps surpassed by only the ANS coin. The surfaces are positively choice, light brown and glossy, showing even traces of luster around the reverse periphery that makes us consider a higher grade. The obverse, like always seen, shows dulled detail, with the lower left obverse swollen and the center softly impressed. A glass detects scattered little marks and hairlines, nothing serious. The planchet is about perfect, with only a very shallow area of texture atop the reverse. The centering is ideal and the date is complete. The Norweb-Perkins coin was purchased in 2000 by the Long Island specialist for $4, 887.50. The Ford coin was purchased by Steve Tanenbaum for $4, 600 in 2005; it did not appear in our January 2012 offering of the Tanenbaum Collection, which suggests placement in a well-known private cabinet. It is one of the great surprises of the Craige collection that, despite the ‘front line’ Connecticuts being sold in 1970, new candidates for finest known in private hands like this coin are emerging.</em>” Called EF40 and second finest known by Robert, behind only the superb Taylor specimen that was lasted offered in a PCGS EF45 encapsulation.From the Robert M. Martin Collection. Ex our sale of the Ted L. Craige Collection, January 2013, lot 11123. Craige’s envelope is no longer extant.
