1787 Connecticut Copper. Miller 19-g.4, W-3050. Rarity-2. Draped Bust Left. AU-55 (PCGS).141.6 grains. A superb example with a famous provenance. Frosty dark chocolate with glossy fields and luster around the devices, highlighted by attractive pale blue toning under raking light. Traces of an old painted die variety on the portrait’s cheek remain visible. The “19 / g” in black ink might have been where Breen got the idea that this piece was a Hall-Brand coin when he wrote it up in the 1975 EAC sale, but Hall actually used a significantly different style of painted die variety notations (also, Hall’s coin ended up in Bobby Martin’s collection, sold by us in November 2019 graded AU-53 by PCGS). The obverse shows its denticles around the top, boldest at upper right, while the reverse shows a thick arc of denticles around its base framing a good bold date. An area of swelling above the date is typical of this variety’s late die state. The reverse shows a few little peripheral laminations, including one above L of LIB. This variety doesn’t attract much attention, but it appears extremely elusive in this grade. Neither Ford nor Perkins had one nearly this nice, and a scan of the usual collections reveals plenty of VFs but precious few EF and AU coins. Partrick’s best and Newman’s were both graded AU-53 (NGC). This may be the best one around. It’s at least of Condition Census quality.From the E Pluribus Unum Collection. Earlier said to be ex Hall, Brand; Pine Tree Rare Coin Auction’s 1975 EAC Sale, February 1975, lot 130.
