1787 Machins Mills Halfpenny. Vlack 21-87D, W-7970. Rarity-4. GEORGIVS III, Group III. AU-58 (PCGS).108.5 grains. Wonderful color and sharpness characterize this impressive near-Mint example. Frosty, barely worn surfaces are a pleasing chocolate-brown with tan blended in around the peripheries. Sharply struck from an early state of the dies with all of the fine detail of the obverse portrait as well as the intricate drapery of the reverse seated figure brought up in full relief. Struck just slightly off-center but only a portion of the dentils fell off the planchet. A small fissure on the rim by the last numeral of III is as-made and the only minor imperfection. This is the highest graded example of the variety that we have ever offered, although the PCGS AU-50 example in our November 2012 sale of the Jack Royse Collection was lovely and realized $12,925.PCGS# 826960.From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex American Heritage Minting, April 2008.
