1785 Connecticut Copper. Miller 6.5-M, W-2430. Rarity-6+. Bust Right. AU-53 (PCGS). 139.4 grains. A distinctive and important variety among 1785 Connecticut coppers and this is one of the best examples known. Glossy, high grade surfaces that are barely worn and nicely preserved with minimal marks. Deep olive-brown in color with lighter toning on the high points of the devices. Traces of original planchet texture are seen on the effigy as well as the upper body of the seated figure and in the reverse fields, but there is no post-strike roughness at all. Struck just slightly off center, better than many of the variety in this regard. Just the tops of the letters on the right side of the coin are off the planchet and the date is full and very bold. Received a firm impression of the dies and shows exemplary detail in the obverse effigys hair, wreath, and breastplate, as well as fine detail in the seated figures drapery and two of three grapevines are visible on the shield.<p>A wholly unique-looking variety among Connecticut coppers, and both the obverse and reverse die appear only in this one combination. While there are certain aspects of the style and design elements that carry over to other 1785 varieties, particularly the African Heads, the intricate die work, the size and shapes of the letters, and just the overall look and feel of the design give this variety a distinctive character. In his Fall 2021 C4 Newsletter article, Randy Clark explores stylistic similarities between these dies and copper plate engravings by Abel Buell, putting forth the hypothesis that this may have been an early prototype or pattern variety for the Connecticut coppers from dies perhaps engraved by Buell himself. Clark notes that Dr. Hall, in 1899, had a similar notion about this variety, though hazards a different guess as to the origin, writing: "This scarce piece is of good workmanship and worthy of careful observation. Possibly this die, with others of the same date, may have been struck in England and used for patterns for this issue." Given the unique aspects of the dies, and the rarity of specimens suggesting a small production, we suspect this variety does indeed hold a special place in the early evolution of the Connecticut copper coinage, and very well could be a pattern or prototype issue.<p>This incredible example is one of the best overall representatives of the variety in existence. The Mills-Ford-Partrick coin graded NGC MS-62 BN is considered the finest known. It is certainly very sharp and slightly lustrous, but is quite a bit off center such that hardly any of the date is visible. These are the sorts of considerations that make ranking Connecticut coppers in a Condition Census such a challenge. We know that many collectors would prefer the present coin with its better centering, bold date, and nearly comparable sharpness even if the Partrick coin is technically finer. These two coins are well ahead of the rest of the pack of the 18 or so known examples. No others rise above the level of VF and many are rough or badly off center. Overall a fantastic piece, one of the many highlights of Syds 1785 Connecticuts. Tough to beat an exceptionally sharp, very attractive, well pedigreed example of a marquee variety. PCGS# 905504. From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier from our (Stacks) sale of the Richard Picker Collection, October 1984, lot 148; Anthony Terranova Collection, January 2012. Obverse and reverse plated in Randy Clarks "The Identification and Classification of Connecticut Coppers 1785-1788," pp. 173 and 210.
