1772 Machins Mills Halfpenny. Vlack 24-72C, W-7740. Rarity-6. GEORGIVS III, Group I. EF-45 (PCGS).116.9 grains. A simply gorgeous specimen of this enigmatic and very rare Machins variety, the ultimate example of the variety currently known. The surfaces are a glossy, slightly lustrous light brown and golden-tan. A tiny rim bump at the top of the reverse is the only real mark and there is very little wear, a case could certainly be made for an AU grade. All known examples of this distinctive variety have the obverse legends almost entirely ground away in the dies, likely intentionally by the coiners to simulate wear and encourage acceptance in commerce. Notably however, this piece is from the earliest die state we have observed with as little die degradation on Britannia as ever which, along with the high grade, allows for detail to be present on Britannias robe and also the Union Jack on the shield that isnt seen on any other coin. Additionally, the relatively sharp strike and lack of wear has left as much of the obverse legends as well as the ghostly last digit of the date as we will likely ever see. 24-72C was discovered by Richard August in the 1980s and published by Gary Trudgen in the June 1985 <em>The Colonial Newsletter</em>. There were four known and while a few dozen have come to light since, none approach the piece offered here. One of the nicer specimens offered recently, the NGC EF-40 Partrick piece that realized $6,600 in March 2021, is noticeably more worn, more heavily marked, and from a much later die state with an ill-defined Britannia. The present coin excels in all categories and will become a highlight in the collection of one fortunate bidder.PCGS# 914457.From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Christopher B. Young, April 2014.
