1787 Connecticut Copper. Miller 33.14-Z.14, W-3600. Rarity-5. Draped Bust Left—Dr. Hall Ink on Edge—EF-45 (PCGS).163.5 grains. Well “overweight” for a Connecticut copper and at the very upper end of the recorded weight range for this die marriage, this well pedigreed example boasts glossy, rich chocolate brown surfaces with steely highlights. Relatively well centered with no loss to either designs or legends, the strike is bold everywhere but at upper laurel leaves and corresponding area of the reverse, seemingly the two deepest points of each die. A short, sharp cut at cheek identifies this coin, called “Second Finest Known” by Robert, behind only the 1975 EAC Sale coin, an ex Stepney Hoard coin called “borderline Unc.” A close contender for second position is also the Collection SLT coin, which is perhaps a bit sharper overall but doesn’t have the same prettiness of surfaces of Robert’s coin. The thick planchet gives a relatively wide canvas for Dr. Hall’s own white ink on edge attribution “33-17 Z-14,” which was modified to the current form by Miller in his 1920 opus on Connecticuts.From the Robert M. Martin Collection. Ex Dr. Thomas Hall Collection; Virgil Brand Collection; Stack’s Sale of the Edward Hessberg Collection, June 19-20, 1991, lot 1459.
