1787 Connecticut Copper. Miller 33.29-Z.25, W-3800. Rarity-7+. Draped Bust Left. Fine-12 (PCGS). 131.6 grains. A significant offering of an extremely rare variety, this being the discovery coin and just the second auction appearance of any Miller 33.29-Z.25 in the 60 years since it was published. This coin, featuring a previously unknown reverse die, was discovered by Cyril H. Hawley and the die pair was announced by Edward R. Barnsley in the July 1961 Colonial Newsletter. A second example was found at some point in the ensuing decade and a half and went from Norman Bryant to Q. David Bowers and was sold in the 1975 EAC Sale, lot 257. Just two additional pieces have surfaces for a total of four and there have been no auction appearances of the variety in the 45 years since meaning the most legendary Connecticut copper collections of all time -- Taylor, Norweb, Perkins, Ford, etc. -- have lacked this variety. </p><p>Dark brown with orange on some of the high points. Perfectly centered with bold legends and date, somewhat softly struck on the devices but still quite strong overall. Could rightly be considered Very Fine for the variety. Noticeable swelling in the reverse fields, diagnostic for the variety and no doubt indicative of an early demise for this reverse explaining the rarity of examples today. Microporous yet glossy and fairly smooth-looking at arms length. No planchet flaws and marks are few -- two small nicks on the chest of the seated figure serve to match this coin to the 1961 Colonial Newsletter plates. This piece seems to be third finest, not far behind the 1975 EAC Sale coin and a piece discovered by Roger Moore, published in the Spring 1998 C4 Newsletter, both slightly higher VFs. All told, a highly desirable coin and an excellent representative of this distinctive and seldom seen reverse die. The highlight of this sales Connecticut coppers and an exciting opportunity for the advanced collector. From the Norman G. Peters Collection. Discovered by Cyril H. Hawley, published in the July 1961 Colonial Newsletter; Purchased from Henry Garretts Spring 1982 Fixed Price Catalog.