1787 Massachusetts Half Cent. Ryder 5-A, W-5960. Rarity-3. MS-62 BN (PCGS). 69.7 grains. A superior example of the scarce and popular late die state of this variety with a reverse cud over the U, really the only such die break in the entire Massachusetts copper series. Glossy medium-brown and steel surfaces with faded mint red surrounding some of the details. Delicate mint luster is evident in the fields and the surfaces are quite well preserved, a few tiny scratches in the left obverse field being the only marks. Ordinary weakness of strike at the centers where some original planchet texture remains. HALF CENT remains mostly legible. PCGS# 688344. From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Richard Picker; our (Stacks) sale of the Robert Schonwalter Collection, January 2003 Americana Sale, lot 1029.
