1787 Connecticut Copper. Miller 33.1-Z.13, W-3310. Rarity-5-. Draped Bust Left. EF-40 (PCGS).142.2 grains. Reddish-brown on both sides, the reverse a darker shade than the obverse, which still shows a hint of luster in the protected areas of the lettering. Well-centered, the strike is a bit soft in the central details of both obverse and reverse motifs, the bottom of the date a bit tight to the rim due to an insufficiently large planchet to accommodate the size of the die. Considered “probable condition census” by Robert, several comparable or finer coins are out there, including the “Borderline Uncirculated” piece in Bowers and Ruddy’s 1977 Getty Sale, the “Very Fine or better” 1975 EAC Sale coin that is sharper than this one, and Hessberg’s softly struck AU piece. A pleasing coin that made the cut through several rounds of Robert’s winnowing of his collection over the decades.From the Robert M. Martin Collection. Purchased in May 1978, source not recorded.
