1785 Connecticut Copper. Miller 1-E, W-2300. Rarity-4. Bust Right. AU Details--Environmental Damage (PCGS). 141.9 grains. An impressively sharp, unclipped example that is one of the finest representatives known of this distinctive die pair. Deep olive-brown in color with lighter steel toning on the devices and some subtle reddish-brown undertones in the fields. The surfaces are glossy and they retain some frosty mint texture which gives this coin nice eye appeal in spite of the rather dark color. There are no contact marks and hardly any wear, just a bit of microporosity in places and some larger pits near the effigys nose and on the reverse shield which could very well be natural to the planchet.<p>This coins combination of a bold, well centered strike, fully round planchet, and high technical grade elevates it to the upper echelon of examples of this variety. The vast majority of Miller 1-E specimens are affected by planchet clips, misaligned dies, planchet flaws, or weak detail due to late die states. This piece was well struck from an intermediate state of the dies and nicely centered on the planchet on both sides which allows for full legends, clear ornaments, more than half the dentils, and the distinctive, hand-cut, tiny date being as bold as ever.<p>Although listed first in the Miller attribution system, Miller 1-E is actually a reworked version of the 6.3-G.1/G.2 die pair. The extent of the die alteration is significant however, especially on the reverse where each incarnation of the die has noticeably different detail on the branch, cap, upper body of the seated figure, and, on the present variety, different ornamentation in the legend and the characteristic small date. 6.3-G.1, 6.3-G.2, and 1-E are therefore rightfully considered separate varieties and collected as such, even if it was the same hunk of die steel used on all three. Miller 1-E is arguably the toughest of the group to find in choice high grade. This is one of the few examples that stands out as truly exceptional and Syd considered it the finest known. PCGS# 685148. From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Anthony Terranova Collection, January 2012. Plated in Randy Clarks "The Identification and Classification of Connecticut Coppers 1785-1788," pp. 157, 196, and 215.
