1787 Connecticut Copper. Miller 37.3-i, W-4110. Rarity-3. Draped Bust Left. AU-58 (PCGS).133.4 grains. The Breen Plate Coin. Shimmery silver mint frost and the subtlest hints of original mint color in the protected areas define this predominantly chestnut brown and luminous coin. Strike is decidedly soft on both sides, but evenly so and due as much to inadequate striking pressure as to the worn dies that made the design motifs and lettering appear soft from the moment they were imparted to the planchet. Well centered but on a smaller than necessary flan, bringing some designs and lettering in close contact with the rim. A shallow planchet flaw through D of INDE and another above LI are noted for completeness. A small number of this R-3 variety are known in high grade, including three pieces reported to have been in the Stepney Hoard; figuring out which one is the finest would take side by side comparison. In fact, this coin was claimed to have been from the Stepney Hoard with no evidence other than its appearance, a claim that was elevated from “probably” to “undoubtedly” from its appearance in RCR38 to B&M’s Sieck sale. Robert believe this coin to be finest known, and it may be close, though Newman’s NGC AU58 is better struck but less ideally centered than this one. Here is a great coin with a lengthy and great provenance that began life as a “mostly choice Uncirculated” coin in 1958!From the Robert M. Martin Collection. Ex New Netherlands 51st Sale, June 18, 1958, lot 96; Pine Tree Auction Company’s Sale of the John Carter Brown Library, May 21, 1976, lot 579; Bowers and Ruddy’s River Oaks and Krugjohann Sale of November 11-13, 1976, lot 352, Bowers and Ruddy’s Rare Coin Review #38, May 1981; Bowers and Ruddy’s William R. Sieck Collection Sale, July 28-August 1, 1981, lot 2717.
