1787 Connecticut Copper. Miller 25-m, W-3105. Rarity-5+. Draped Bust Left. AU-53 (PCGS).140.0 grains. A Clark Obverse and Reverse Plate Coin. Chocolate brown, glossy and gorgeous, lustrous light brown hugs the devices and legends, the last remnants of original mint red that is now mostly faded. Well stuck and well centered, though soft at lower obverse and upper reverse, the probable result of a slight axial misalignment of the dies. The upper effigy is very clear, showing the scraggly laurel wreath that is distinctive on this obverse die. Taylor’s was called sharpness of Fine-12, Hessberg’s was strong Very Fine, and Perkins’ was Choice Fine. Robert had not located a finer example than his in his research, though a very close contender is a piece in a private collection he called “Choice Very Fine” but from the small photo in his files, it looks to be a near twin to this coin in both sharpness and striking characteristics. A fine coin with even finer pedigree.From the Robert M. Martin Collection. Ex 1975 EAC Convention Sale, Pine Tree Auctions, February 15, 1975, lot 136. Breen conjectured that this coin may have been from the Stepney Hoard but sold before the inventory was taken.
