1785 Connecticut Copper. Miller 6.1-A.1, W-2390. Rarity-5-. Bust Right. MS-61 BN (PCGS). 133.1 grains. A truly extraordinary Connecticut copper, clearly the finest known of the variety and among the most impressive Mint State survivors we have seen for the entire 1785 date. Lustrous chocolate-brown surfaces are obviously unworn and display significant cartwheel frost in the fields on both sides. This sort of genuine luster, especially on an unflawed planchet, is virtually never seen on any 1785 issues. The strike is equally wonderful, perfectly centered and extremely bold, "medallic in nature" as Syd writes in his notes. Definitive sharpness is present on the distinctive obverse portrait. Even with a touch of softness on the shoulder there is far more detail in that area than on any other example. The reverse is equally superlative. Even with a bit of weakness and planchet texture seen on the leg and upper body, the overall definition is fantastic with a fully detailed branch hand and three complete vines on the shield, features we have not observed on any other specimen of this variety. Struck on a high quality, unclipped planchet and there are only a few trivial abrasions. Stained at the obverse border from 7 to 9 oclock and opposing reverse with a dusting of old, inactive verdigris in that area. The stain is out of the way, doesnt obscure any of the design, and does little to detract from this wholly magnificent piece.<p>A distinctive and scarce variety, featuring the only use of the 6.1 obverse and sharing a reverse with the Roman Head varieties. This obverse effigy, sometimes called the "Round Head," is very similar in style to that of the Roman Heads and its clear the varieties are closely related. Not much explanation is required to establish this as the single finest 6.1-A.1. The Taylor coin is the only one that comes remotely close -- it was graded EF-45 in our 1987 sale of that collection and is probably a high AU in reality by todays standards. The Hall-Oechsner-Partrick coin, graded EF in Oechsner and NGC AU-55 in Partrick, would probably come next. After that, all of the other great Connecticut copper cabinets have had this variety represented by coins in the VF or EF range at best. This is obviously a coin of supreme interest to die variety specialists, but type or date collectors should also take note of the incredibly rare quality this coin offers in those spheres. This is the one and only 1785 Connecticut copper of any variety graded Mint State at PCGS. A handful have been graded Mint State at NGC but most of those are a far cry from this coin. The Hall-Oechsner-Partrick 6.3-G.1 in NGC MS-63 BN is perhaps the only one on the same level. Even among the highest grade pieces that havent made their way into slabs (of which there undoubtedly several that could be considered Mint State), it would be hard to imagine a much more impressive, more lustrous, or more outstanding way to represent the first year of issue for the state coinage of Connecticut. PCGS# 685166. From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex John Kraljevich, July 2015.
