1787 Connecticut Copper. Miller 32.1-X.3, W-3215. Rarity-4. Draped Bust Left—Double Struck—EF Details—Scratch (PCGS).131.7 grains. Originally thought to be a quadruple strike, and described as such in Michael Hodder’s article <em>Was an Automatic Planchet Feeder Used in New Haven in 1787</em> in TN-147 in CNL 91. This is in actuality a wild, broadly spread double strike, now measuring an incredible 28.6 x 31.0 mm. The first strike was about 5-10% off-center to the right, while the second strike was about 20% off-center to the left, with an intervening extra planchet between the reverse die and struck coin, causing an indent or what Hodder calls a “tab” strike in his article. The nature of the overlap of the 2 strongest strikes gives this coin the illusion of having been quadruple struck. For completeness of description, the reverse of the first strike actually looks double struck itself, perhaps because of die bounce, as we don’t see any signs of multiple strike on the corresponding obverse impression of the first strike. Steely dark brown surfaces exhibit microscopic granularity, some very minor obverse pin scratches, and a few spots of verdigris, all of which can be forgiven given this visually arresting overlapping double strike.From the Robert M. Martin Collection. Purchased in 1991, source not recorded. Although the grade is not listed on the holder due to space considerations, it can be seen if this coin’s serial number is put into the “cert verification” feature at pcgs.com.
