1785 Connecticut Copper. Miller 5-F.5, W-2385. Rarity-4. Bust Right. AU-55 (PCGS). 139.9 grains. A lovely piece. For a relatively available variety, there are surprisingly few choice examples out there that are unencumbered by planchet flaws, strike issues, and/or weak definition due to late die state. This coin is certainly one of the few, undeniably choice and exceptionally attractive. The surfaces are an original, naturally glossy medium brown with no flaws, roughness, or meaningful marks. The obverse is perfectly centered, the reverse just barely off to 6 oclock but hardly any of the date is affected. The overall impression was bold and well balanced throughout, from an intermediate state of the dies, with just the start of the die break from the chin to the breastplate. The detail is still rather crisp in this die state, becoming quite mushy in later states, and this, combined with the excellent strike, minimal wear, and smooth, hard surfaces allows the design to stand out remarkably well.<p>While there are some technically finer examples known, such as the 1975 EAC Sale, Hessberg, and Ford coins, the present coin holds up well when compared to each of them if strike, surface quality, and eye appeal are all taken into consideration. While all of the other three aforementioned coins appear to display some degree of luster, the 1975 EAC Sale coin is not quite as well struck, and the Hessberg and Ford coins are fairly significantly flawed. Ranking Connecticut coppers in a Condition Census is always going to involve personal preferences. That said, Syd considered this coin to be finest known, and for the collector who values aesthetic appeal above technical grade, it would certainly be hard to beat. PCGS# 685165. From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier from our (Bowers and Merenas) sale of the Frederick B. Taylor Collection, March 1987, lot 2318; Anthony Terranova Collection, January 2012. Plated in Randy Clarks "The Identification and Classification of Connecticut Coppers 1785-1788," p. 168.
