1788 Connecticut Copper. Miller 7-F.2, W-4485. Rarity-6. Mailed Bust Left. Unc Detail — Cleaned (PCGS).106.2 grains. A top-notch example of this rare variety. Lustrous light brown with some rose and gold iridescence, a bit bright from an old cleaning. Exceptionally sharp and largely unflawed, with just some minor scattered inherent pits and striations seen on the reverse. This variety is plagued by poor planchets, and this one is certainly better than most. The centering is good, a bit rightward on the obverse but pretty ideal on the reverse. The date and legends are all complete. This was called Finest Known in the 1975 EAC Sale, at which time just four were known. There are roughly 20 now, including a small number of fairly high grade pieces that each have a flaw or two: this one, the Ted Craige coin from our January 2013 sale, and the Garrett-Gleckler coin (graded PCGS AU-53 in our November 2016 sale). There was a wholesome AU-55+ (PCGS) in our November 2019 sale, and the same sale also included Bobby Martin’s pretty nice EF-40 (PCGS), ex Hall and Taylor. Partrick’s is just VG. Assessing high grade problem coins for a Condition Census ranking is a fool’s errand. Some may call this one the finest.From the E Pluribus Unum Collection. Earlier from Ted Craige; Pine Tree Rare Coin Auction’s 1975 EAC Sale, February 1975, lot 295.
