1787 Connecticut Copper. Miller 16.5-n, W-3025. Rarity-5+. Draped Bust Left. AU-55 (PCGS).150.4 grains. One of the best known examples from this die marriage, and quite possibly the finest known. Choice and glossy smooth medium brown surfaces show some faded lustrous frost, especially on the reverse. Ideally centered, boldly struck, and free of all but the most infinitesimal flaws. A tiny rim nick is seen at 6:00 on the obverse, and an old contact mark blends in on the obverse portrait’s cheekbone. This is just about perfect in appearance. The only other real contender for finest known honors is the Hall-Hessberg-Martin coin, which was graded AU-50 (PCGS) when we sold it in November 2019. Bobby Martin liked his coin better; as Dr. Sheldon said, ownership is worth five points. This one has a bolder date and is unclipped, so we would grant a tie to the present coin, which has been off the market (and, we suspect, unseen) since the 1975 EAC Sale, where it brought an aggressive $290 on a $100-up estimate.From the E Pluribus Unum Collection. Earlier from our (Bowers and Ruddy’s) Rare Coin Review 15; Pine Tree Rare Coin Auction’s 1975 EAC Sale, February 1975, lot 103.