1785 Nova Constellatio Copper. Crosby 4-C, W-1900. Rarity-5. CONSTELLATIO, Pointed Rays. VF-30 (PCGS). 109.8 grains. This attractive piece exhibits glossy medium and chocolate brown surfaces that are tight and overall smooth in hand. A few wispy handling marks are noted: a pair of tiny nicks in the lower reverse field above the digit 5 in the date, a dull nick at the upper left of the letter S in JUSTITIA, and another shallow mark at the upper right of the first letter T in CONSTELLATIO. The strike is well centered with all major design elements bold to sharp, although a few peripheral letters fade into the border. A lower end Condition Census example of the second rarest die marriage in the brief Nova Constellatio copper series after the extremely rare 1786. From McCawley & Grellmans C-4 Sale of November 2001, lot 436; Ira & Larry Goldbergs Pre-Long Beach Auction of February 2007, lot 81. Goldbergs lot tag included and collector envelope with attribution and provenance notes included.
