1772 Machins Mills Halfpenny. Vlack 6-72A, W-7720. Rarity-6. GEORGIVS III, Group I. VF-20 (PCGS).112.4 grains. An exceptional example of this rare variety that is in many ways similar to the Mike Ringo coin sold at the C4 Sale in 2000 and then again in our Mach 2013 Baltimore sale, where it brought over $3,000. Both show similar sharpness for this often shallowly struck die marriage, though the high relief of the obverse has prevented a full strike in Britannias mid sections. This example is a bit darker brown with lighter olive brown on the high points of the designs and legends. Relatively well-centered, with at least a hint of denticulation around the entire circumference on both sides. The reverse die state is even more advanced than seen in the 5-72A combination, the die break now much bolder, the die sunken around the branch hand, and a thin die crack forming from the denticles through TAN. This superb coin has evidently been off the market for many decades, as it is accompanied by a pale green envelope with the Vlack variety indicated as "3 (3-E)," which must predate the 1974 publication of Vlacks plate of die marriages using the current obverse/reverse designations.From the E Pluribus Unum Collection.
