1771 Machins Mills Halfpenny. Vlack 3-71B, W-7680. Rarity-5. GEORGIVS III, Group I. EF-40 (PCGS).121.6 grains. A bold example of the 1771 date and scarce Vlack 3-71B die variety. Exceptional sharpness on the seated Britannia figure on the reverse, the high relief detail there robbing the obverse of some definition where natural depressions are seen on the neck and hair. Bold everywhere else and well centered with a full border of dentils on the reverse and nearly so on the obverse. Recolored reddish-brown and orangey-tan, the surfaces show light porosity under the glossy patina. Trace of lacquer atop the head and one old scrape from the second N of BRITANNIA to the branch arm. Only one piece has been graded finer at PCGS across all 1771 varieties.PCGS# 826939.From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Mike Wierzba, March 2019.
