1787 Fugio Copper. Pointed Rays. Newman 12-M, W-6800. Rarity-3. STATES UNITED, 4 Cinquefoils. EF-45 (PCGS). A very high grade example of this fairly common variety. Nice smooth light brown with some gold and olive highlights on the reverse. Very even and attractive in appearance, no planchet flaws, a bit softly struck around the base of the obverse. Free of any significant marks, really a choice piece. Struck from the usual clashed state of the dies. The Retz coin was also graded AU-53 (PCGS); it was perhaps a bit sharper but had a few trivial planchet defects. It was ranked as second finest known in the Retz census and brought $3,738. The Craige coin, from the scarce unclashed die state, was graded EF-45 (PCGS); it brought $4,700. The choice color and surfaces of this piece set it aside from most, making it an ideal candidate for a quality-focused Fugio collection. From the Pierre Fricke Collection. Earlier from our sale of Robert Ayers Collection, August 2013 Chicago ANA Sale, lot 1358, where graded AU-53 (PCGS).
