Circa 1792 Washington Born Virginia copper. GENERAL reverse. Musante GW-33, Baker-60. Copper. Plain edge. AU-58 (PCGS).30.5 mm. 173.8 grains. Once lacquered surfaces exhibit areas of light reddish copper on both sides. On the obverse, this is mostly concentrated near the periphery, through the recesses of the legend. On the reverse, this affects probably about 60% of the field area. Otherwise, the copper has taken on a nice deep chocolate brown patina and is pleasantly glossy. A pair of old pin scratches are noted in the reverse exergue, and a pair of tiny nicks is seen on Washingtons chest. Extremely sharp detail for a Washington Born Virginia, which is typically found softly struck on the reverse, in Very Fine condition and with some portion of the central reverse worn away. An unusually sharp specimen for a collector who doesnt mind the imperfect appearance. Trace of the Baker number in red on the edge.Ex Charles I. Bushnell, S.H. and H. Chapman, June 1882, lot 1246; William Spohn Baker Collection, to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania by bequest, November 15, 1897. This is possibly earlier from the collection of Cleveland, Ohio collector, Henry A. Smith, whose coins were sold by William H. Strobridge, March 1863. Lot 1241 was a Washington Born Virginia which sold to Charles Bushnell, but was called “fine,” an adjectival assignment long predating the Sheldon scale and almost certainly a much sharper coin than this term would suggest today.
