1787 Connecticut Copper. Miller 14-H, W-2895. Rarity-3. Mailed Bust Left, Arrows (Pheons) at Date. AU-50 (PCGS).128.5 grains. A superb, glossy and lustrous reddish-brown example that exhibits little actual wear, and is technically Mint State with just a bit of high point rub. The central strike is a trifle soft, making this look more worn than it actually is. The centering and peripheral strike are ideal, with denticulation visible along 100% of the circumference of both sides. Large Painted Die Variety “14/H” in left field, now oxidized to black, but probably white at time of inking. Breen described this as ex Hall and Brand in the 1975 EAC Sale—Hall had two that went to Brand, the Unc one was sold in the Newman sales. Could this one be Hall’s other example called “weakly struck Very Fine” on the B.G. Johnson listing? In any event, we like the color and surfaces of this one better than Newman’s sharp but also weakly struck piece, and better than Ford’s sharper but grainier example. Here is a coin with superb color, surfaces and eye appeal.From the Robert M. Martin Collection. From the Dr. Thomas Hall Collection; Virgil Brand Collection; Pine Tree Auction Company’s 1975 EAC Convention Sale, February 15, 1975, lot 94; Stack’s Sale of the John L. Roper Collection, December 8-9, 1983, lot 243.
