1785 Vermont Copper. Landscape. RR-2, Bressett 1-A, W-2005. Rarity-3. VERMONTS. VF-25 (PCGS). 124.6 grains. A handsome piece with rich steel-gray highlights to dominant golden-brown patina. The lettering along the upper borders on both sides runs to or off the flan, as do several letters in the word PUBLICA on the obverse, but all major design elements are discernible and the overall detail is bold for the assigned grade. There is plenty of good gloss on both sides, the surfaces hard, tight and free of the significant planchet defects that often plague Landscape Vermonts. We note only wispy handling marks, and a shallow curved planchet clip at 1 oclock on the reverse that is as made. As noted in the 1993 reference The Copper Coins of Vermont</em> by Tony Carlotto, "A nice tan problem free piece is scarce, not rare. They exist in a reasonable amount and command a premium." RR-2 is actually the most plentiful of the 1785-dated varieties in the Vermont copper series, and this attractive mid-grade example would do equally well in a type set or specialized variety collection.RR-2 is one of two die pairings in this series that correspond to the VERMONTS Guide Book</em> variety. It is not known whether RR-2 or RR-3 was the first Vermont copper variety produced, but both were struck from dies engraved by William H. Coley. Along with Elias Jackson and Daniel Van Voorhis (the latter a well known New York City silversmith), Coley was a partner of Reuben Harmon, Jr. in the Vermont coinage enterprise. Since Coley was still living in New York City in 1785, where he had resided since July of 1783, Carlotto and Christopher R. McDowell suggest that all three 1785-dated Vermont copper varieties (RR-2 VERMONTS, RR-3 VERMONTS, and RR-4 VERMONTIS) may have been struck there. Bowers (2018), however, points to the crudeness of the planchets as evidence that these varieties were produced at Harmons first mint location in Rupert, Vermont. Indeed, most Landscape varieties in the Vermont copper series are plagued by striations and other planchet defects, which Carlotto attributes to the "re-melting and rolling process." Regardless of where they were made, the two VERMONTS varieties were almost certainly the first produced in the Vermont copper series. Carlotto reports a wide weight range of 90 to 140 grains among survivors from the RR-2 dies, which is below the authorized weight standard of 160 grains as originally specified in Harmons contract with the General Assembly. This was eventually reduced to 111 grains to enable Harmon to produce the coins at a profit. From Early American History Auctions sale of June 2006, lot 1003. Collector envelope with attribution and provenance notes included.
