1778 Machins Mills Halfpenny. Vlack 11-78A, W-7820. Rarity-3. GEORGIVS III, Group III--Struck Over Off-Center Reverse Brockage--MS-64 BN (PCGS).95.7 grains. A simply astounding piece that presents a seldom seen error in a virtually unheard of state of preservation for a Machins Mills halfpenny. Lustrous light brown surfaces with bright flashes of real mint red within the obverse hair ribbons, in the mailing, and around the date and letters of BRITANNIA. Some natural streaks of darker color are seen on each side, more so on the reverse, but these are natural to the coin and do little to dampen the fresh, lustrous, and very attractive appearance. There are no contact marks and absolutely no wear; its clear this coin was spared from any mishandling and even the briefest stint in circulation. Struck over an off-center reverse brockage with obvious remnants of the original strike on the obverse portrait where an incuse shield is seen at center and a full incuse date at the top of the hair. Brockage strikes are quite rare in the Machins Mills series and we cant recall seeing another example quite like this in any grade or of any variety. At the amazing near-Gem grade level offered here, this coin is the single finest graded of the 1778 date at either service and tied with just two others for finest graded across the entire series. Certainly one of the more impressive and desirable specimens of Machins Mills coinage we have had the privilege to offer.PCGS# 826952.From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Christopher B. Young, April 2014.
