1778 Machins Mills Halfpenny. Vlack 12-78B, W-7830. Rarity-3. GEORGIVS III, Group III. AU-50 (PCGS).107.4 grains. Dark chocolate brown and glossy, with circulation wear that is smooth, even and trouble-free. The centering is ideal, with an even border perfectly framing the devices and some denticulation remaining, chiefly at right reverse. For a date and variety that can be unevenly struck on less than ideal planchet stock, this is an exception, with only a relatively minuscule amount of original planchet surface showing through at Georges neckline and at Britannias upper torso. Visual appeal is positive and bold, and this specimen may be one of the finest survivors for its dashing appearance, even though there are a handful of technically finer examples. Similar to the slightly more worn EF-40 Albany (i.e. Ringo) Collection example but without its planchet flaws. Much more fully struck than the flatly defined but beautifully lustrous PCGS AU-55 that brought an outsized $9,200 in a 2008 auction when it would have been the finest coin graded by PCGS. Whether building a date set or die marriage set of Machins Mills halfpence, this is an ideal representative.From the E Pluribus Unum Collection.