1788 Connecticut Copper. Miller 3-B.2, W-4415. Rarity-6-. Mailed Bust Right. EF-40 (PCGS).116.2 grains. Dark olive-brown surfaces are finely granular yet pleasantly glossy and have traces of mint surface in the protected areas of the obverse effigy detail. Very few marks, just a couple light scratches on the obverse that do not distract. Excellent detail remains on the obverse portrait and portions of all three grapevines are visible on the shield. Described as struck over a Nova Constellatio in the Ford catalog (and most likely the case given the size of the planchet and the fact that just about all other examples of the variety are), though the undertype on this specimen is not readily apparent. Bold painted die variety below the bust in the hand of William Wallace Hays who collected this coin probably in the late 19th century. Certainly an appealing piece that realized an astonishing $14,950 in the Ford sale, a testament to its desirable provenance and noteworthy quality.PCGS# 687250.From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex William Wallace Hays; Charles Steigerwalts October 1903 Fixed Price List; Hillyer Ryder; F.C.C. Boyd; our (Stacks) sale of the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, Part IX, May 2005, lot 474.
