1787 Connecticut Copper. Miller 33.17-r.1, W-3625. Rarity-1. Draped Bust Left, B (LIB) over Cinquefoil. AU-55 (PCGS).123.5 grains. A really delightful coin, bold in appearance due to the relative fullness of the strike and abundant mint frost that fills the fields. Light golden brown where the original mint color was last to fade, steely brown at the high points of the devices where a touch of friction or circulation has changed the color of the metal surfaces. An ideal type coin inasmuch as the coin is both beautiful and wholly absent the sometimes disfiguring planchet flaws or striations that are endemic in the series. A few high grade survivors are out there, though Robert considered this coin “high condition census” when he composed its storage envelope. The Hessberg coin was fully Mint State but very softly struck in areas, Taylor’s “EF-40 overall” coin was a bit sharper but a bit more circulated as well, while the primary Ford:387 coin was called “AU to Choice AU” with mint color and some planchet flaws. All things considered, we like Robert’s choice of coin the most and we surmise that its next owner may cherish it for another 30 years.From the Robert M. Martin Collection. Ex Stack’s Fixed Priced List of December 1989; Coin Galleries Sale of July 18, 1990, lot 2393.
