1787 Connecticut Copper. Miller 16.5-p, W-3030. Rarity-7-. Draped Bust Left—Counterstamped P.T. Brunk-not listed—VF-20 (PCGS).156.0 grains. P.T counterstamp in serrated, large prepared punch oriented nearly vertically across obverse effigy. The artisan who marked this Connecticut is not known, and he probably did not know that his mark was upon a Connecticut copper die marriage that would be considered extremely rare in 2019! Surfaces are light olive brown with a few minor marks of circulation, including a pair of old cuts on lower right reverse that affect the last digit in the date. In terms of sharpness, this may make the condition census, as many of the known survivors of 16.5-p are quite well worn or otherwise impaired by environmental factors, and several show large softly struck areas. The Ford specimen is sharper but has a large planchet flaw, while the 1975 Pine Tree EAC coin is as sharp as this counterstamped piece and may be the finest around. Here is a fantastic, high quality and clear counterstamp upon a Connecticut copper die marriage known by fewer than a dozen specimens.From the Robert M. Martin Collection. Provenance not recorded.
