1788 Massachusetts Cent. Ryder 12-M, W-6350. Rarity-4-. Period After MASSACHUSETTS. AU-58 (PCGS). 154.5 grains. An exceptional specimen that is deep chocolate and striated olive brown on the obverse, while the reverse is lighter olive with deeply faded tan outlines around the devices. Both sides display glossy, slightly reflective mint luster indicative of a coin struck from a fresh pair of dies. Small deposits of dark debris over the M of MASSACHUSETTS and above the olive branch confirm the Norweb provenance. Traces of natural roughness in places is largely confined to the peripheries. Nicely struck and well centered on both sides. A few tiny handling marks are scattered about, but none is of any consequence on this handsome and very choice example. This is easily the nicest specimen we have handled in years, and even though we have seen a couple of pieces in AU-58 holders going back to 2005, neither was a match to this coin in terms of overall eye appeal or quality. PCGS# 688355. From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Richard Picker, December 1954; our (Bowers and Merenas) sale of the Norweb Collection, March 1988, lot 2673; Anthony Terranova, 2008; our sale of the Twin Leaf Collection, March 2019 Baltimore Auction, lot 8047.
