1787 Machins Mills Halfpenny. Vlack 17-87B, W-7910. Rarity-2. GEORGIVS III, Group II. EF-45 (PCGS). 122.4 grains. Olive tan and smoothly worn, this well-made 17-87B shows a bold strike and a complete lack of planchet flaws, as is normal for extant examples of the die marriage. A touch of ruddy buildup is noted in field below X of REX, easily overlooked unless carefully rotated in the light. Struck from the usually seen die state with a die break connecting the initial I of III seamlessly to the rim, making the letter appear much taller than it really was intended; the reverse shows the slight, dash-like cracks between the digits in the date. One of the more pleasing survivors we have seen of the die marriage. From our sale of the E Pluribus Unum Collection, November 2020 Baltimore Auction, lot 4168.
