1737 Higley Copper. Freidus 3.2-B.a, W-8225. Rarity-7. VALUE ME AS YOU PLEASE / I AM GOOD COPPER, 3 Hammers. VF-30 (PCGS). 133.0 grains. A simply lovely Higley copper, undeniably choice for the type. This coin was exceptionally well struck on an unusually high quality planchet and survived the perils of circulation and passage of nearly three centuries with nothing more than modest, even wear and some light, grade-consistent marks. The surfaces are a glossy medium to dark brown, a pleasing and original shade that is characteristic of precious few Higley coppers across all varieties. There are no planchet flaws nor traces of any sort of environmental damage, just smooth, hard copper with some light rim bumps and faint reverse scratches that do little to detract from the overall glorious eye appeal. The strike was firm, even, and just about perfectly centered leaving all of the motifs, date, and legends on bold display.<p>Dan Freidus detailed five examples of the variety in his 1994 COAC paper to which three additional specimens can be added. These are, namely, the Boyd-Ford coin (Ford V:271); the B&M 7/97:1-Henry Leon:352 coin graded PCGS F-12; and an example in our January 2013 Americana sale graded PCGS Good Details, Bent that was a new discovery out of England. Interestingly, this roster of eight examples is exactly in line with the number that Breen stated were known in his 1988 <em>Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins</em>, though this is likely coincidental as Breens figure was probably conjectural. He certainly didnt know of the example discovered in England in 2011. Eight examples of a given die variety places this in the relatively "common" category for a Higley copper, which is more than anything a testament to the extreme rarity of the series in general. <p>The level of sharpness, surface quality, and eye appeal that this coin possesses makes it easily the finest of the eight traced examples of this die variety, and certainly among the very finest of the overall VALUE ME AS YOU PLEASE / I AM GOOD COPPER type as well. It is the finest graded by far at PCGS, the next best being two at F-12, and there is just a single VF listed in the NGC census. Beyond all that, this is simply one of the few truly "nice" Higley coppers in existence, regardless of variety. Many a serious colonial collector goes without owning a single Higley, not for lack of trying or because of the steep prices these coins fetch, but simply because finding a presentable, aesthetically pleasing example at all poses such a challenge. The offering of this exceptional piece, its first auction appearance in close to 40 years, will reward one fortunate bidder with just such a coin. PCGS# 207. From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier from our (Stacks) sale of the John L. Roper, 2nd Collection, December 1983, lot 151; Anthony Terranova, August 2019. Plated in the <em></em><em>Whitman Encyclopedia of Colonial and Early American Coins</em>, p. 237.
