1784 Circulating Counterfeit Halfpenny. Vlack 14-84A, W-8130. Rarity-5. Machins Mills Related. VF-35 (PCGS).97.8 grains. An outstanding example of this scarce and enigmatic variety. Vlack 14-84A is not properly a Machins Mills/Atlee product, but has been collected with the series ever since it was included on the 1974 Vlack Plate, when it was considered Rarity-8. Though it bears little resemblance to the work of any of the die engravers associated with Machins Mills, its distinctively crude appearance, unusual date, inclusion in the <em style="box-sizing:border-box;">Red Book</em>, and widespread acceptance in American colonial collections have all resulted in its enduring desirability and popularity. This piece has a well above average strike and superior surface quality for the variety. Glossy medium brown surfaces actually have traces of mint frost in the recesses of the detail. Shows some orange scuffs on portions of the high points but there are very few marks and no roughness. Natural planchet texture is seen on the hair and in the reverse fields where the strike did not fully smooth out the metal. Excellent detail is present on the motifs, the legends are complete and the date bold.<p>PCGS# 935.From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Clem Schettino, September 2006.
