1785 Connecticut Copper. Miller 3.2-L, W-2330. Rarity-4. Bust Right. AU-55 (PCGS). 143.1 grains. A strikingly high grade example, not only a superb representative of the die variety, but of the overall 1785 Bust Right type as well. Beautiful chestnut-brown with undertones of golden-tan, the surfaces display their original mint texture in the form of an overall glossy luster and satiny frost in the protected areas and where the dies were delicately flowlined. Very well struck and nicely centered on a relatively high quality planchet that just shows a minimal amount of the striations and flaws that are all but inescapable on this and many 1785 varieties. The detail imparted from the bold strike is superb. There is more detail present in the effigys hair and wreath than on any example weve seen and the reverse is similarly impressive with virtually full detail across the seated figure and all three vines visible on the shield.<p>The only example that clearly rivals this for potential finest known honors is the Hall-Oechsner-Partrick coin, similarly graded AU-55 (NGC). It has similar overall sharpness and luster, is a touch better centered, and has no notable planchet flaws but does have a slightly rough surface texture on the obverse. That coin realized a very strong $2,530 way back in 1988 in our sale of the Oechsner Collection, and more recently brought $7,800 in Heritages November 2020 sale of the Partrick Collection. We are not aware of any other specimens of the variety that come close to this remarkable coin. Several pieces have sharpness approaching AU but are plagued by flaws, roughness, or strike issues. Many of the great Connecticut copper cabinets have had to make do with a VF or EF of this Miller number. This standout piece is worthy of the finest variety collection, and is also highly recommended as a top notch example of the 1785 date. PCGS# 685154. From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Frealon "Bud" Bibbins; McCawley & Grellmans Fourteenth Annual C4 Convention Sale, November 2008, lot 180; Anthony Terranova Collection, January 2012.
