1785 Connecticut Copper. Miller 6.4-F.5, W-2415. Rarity-6+. Bust Right. VF-30 (PCGS). 128.4 grains. A desirable example of this very rare variety that offers excellent eye appeal and significant provenance. A pleasing Choice Very Fine with solid detail and smooth surfaces. Medium brown overall with lighter brown devices, the obverse with some subtle maroon and dark olive patina in the fields that is perhaps just barely microporous under magnification, but attractive and rather glossy nevertheless. There are a few light planchet flaws at the upper reverse, nothing serious, and there are no consequential marks. Perfectly centered and very well struck on the obverse, the reverse somewhat weaker and slightly off center to the bottom as always, but this coin displays a stronger and more complete date than almost all other specimens. <p>Ex Hall with his variety attribution neatly painted on the edge from 5 to 7 oclock relative to the obverse. Dr. Thomas Hall (1841-1909) of Boston, the pioneering collector and author on Connecticut coppers, is among the most desirable pedigrees for the series and the Hall "ink on edge" coins are coveted by collectors. The attribution is well preserved and bold on this piece. There are just 15 or so examples known of this variety and this coin is among the best two or three grade-wise. The finest known, a sharp EF, is in the Richard August Collection, while the present coin and the Miller Sale piece seem to vie for second place honors. The secondary Ford, later Partrick example is graded higher at NGC EF-40 but is not as well struck or choice as this piece, something reflected in the Ford cataloging where the present example was called "the finest seen" and ordered first. An exciting coin for the specialist. PCGS# 686815. From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Dr. Thomas Hall; Virgil Brand, via B.G. Johnson (St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.), February 1945; F.C.C. Boyd; our (Stacks) sale of the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, Part IX, May 2005, lot 230; our sale of the Steve Tanenbaum (SLT) Collection, January 2012 Americana Sale, lot 7085. Obverse plated in Randy Clarks "The Identification and Classification of Connecticut Coppers 1785-1788," p. 172.
