1787 Connecticut Copper. Miller 49.2-Z.27, W-4325. Rarity-8-. Draped Bust Left. VF-20 (ANACS).Stacks Bowers Galleries is pleased to present the third and most recently discovered example of one of the rarest die pairings in the entire Connecticut copper series. An attractive coin, both sides exhibit warm, even autumn-brown color to generally smooth-looking surfaces. Original planchet texture is seen in the area of shallow roughness through the center of the reverse that extends to the border at ET. Die swell that bisects the obverse from the letter T in AUCTORI to the colon after the word CONNEC interrupted metal flow for the reverse and explains why the original texture did not strike out on that side. Not surprisingly, the design elements in these areas are soft to indistinct, especially those on the reverse. Otherwise, however, we note bold striking detail that still presents quite well despite overall moderate wear. Surface preservation is quite pleasing, and there are no marks of note except for a couple of short, thin scrapes on the reverse at the letters E and L in ET LIB. Accuracy does compel us to mention a touch of glossiness to the texture and some curious underlying pinkish-orange color that points to an old, light cleaning.<p>Obverse 49.2 and Reverse Z.27 are two of the most challenging dies to collect in the entire Connecticut series. All of the individual pairings in which these dies are known (49.2-Z.1, 49.2-Z.26, 49.2-Z.27, 33.13-Z.27) are formidable rarities with only a handful of specimens known in total. Miller 49.2-Z.27, offered here, is readily attributable by the combination of two cinquefoils above the bust on the obverse with a Z-type reverse on which a prominent crack meanders down from the upper border to the seated figures shoulder. These features are clearly seen on the present example, as is the aforementioned obverse die bulge and the lowest extension of the reverse crack as it passes along the right side of the digit 8 in the date. (This is actually a bisecting vertical crack, although the softness of strike in the center obscures the crack as it passes through the seated figure.) One final diagnostic of this reverse die is also readily evident here: double punching to the fifth cinquefoil.<p>Reverse Z.27 was discovered in April 2005 in its current pairing with Obverse 49.2, although the variety was not published until the Fall 2007 edition of <em>The C4 Newsletter</em>. By the time Randall P. Clark published his <em>Identification and Classification of Connecticut Coppers (1785-1788)</em> in 2021, a second example of Miller 49.2-Z.27 had been discovered. The obverse of the second specimen and the reverse of both examples are plated in Clark. The offered coin came to light just before Clarks was published in the summer of 2021, but too late to be included therein. Its discovery was published in an article titled "Third known example of 1787 Connecticut copper die variety found" penned for <em>Coin World</em> by Paul Gilkes and published at <em>coinworld.com</em> on May 28, 2021. Prior to its attribution by ANACS this coin was in the holdings of a Philadelphia area collector for years, where its attribution and rarity were unknown. As written by Gilkes:<p><em>"Early copper specialist Bob Grellman examined images of the coin and was able to quickly identify the coin. My impression of the coin: a choice Connecticut copper, regardless of the variety. Lightly worn with smooth surfaces and free of any notable defects, according to Grellman. All the die features and cracks are clear. Far superior to the discovery coin."</em><p>Inasmuch as the discovery coin is holed, as pictured in Clark, this piece is certainly "far superior." It compares favorably to the second specimen discovered, which has a similar quality of strike, comparable wear, and is identifiable by a lengthy obverse flan flaw at and behind the nose. We rank the second and third specimens confirmed as tied for CC#1, with the holed discovery coin as CC#2.<p>Given the popularity of collecting Connecticut coppers by die variety, this Miller 49.2-Z.27 rarity is sure to attract strong bidder competition. Our only other offering for this obverse die, in its 49.2-Z.26 pairing, resulted in an impressive realized price of $63,250 in our January 2012 Americana Sale of Collection SLT. The Tanenbaum specimen of that variety was unique at the time, although two specimens of 49.2-Z.26 are now known.PCGS# 370. NGC ID: DA3V.
