| Description |
1785 COPPER Vermont Copper, Immune Columbia VG8 NGC. RR-1, Bressett 26-Z, W-2250, Low R.6. This famous muling combines a Vermont obverse of the George III type with the IMMUNE COLUMBIA reverse that was used on several Machin's Mills issues, including English-made Nova Constellatio dies that were only used in colonial America. These mules with the Vermont inscriptions are official issues as Thomas Machin was authorized to produce Vermont copper coinage. While there is some debate about the origin of the reverse die, current scholarship suggests that the die is strictly an American product, rather than a rejected English die as Walter Breen once postulated. Approximately 30 examples of the Vermont Immune Columbia variety are believed to exist, and all are in low grade. Both sides exhibit a smooth, hard planchet with lovely golden-tan, olive, and magenta toning. A few scattered marks are inconsequential. This coin was struck on an undersized planchet as always. However, all of the inscriptions are complete, with the tops of the date visible. In fact, more of the date is visible on the Eric P. Newman example than on most others. Despite the flatness of the central design motifs, the surfaces are choice, and this piece is more attractive than the sharper Stickney-Boyd specimen that has central reverse roughness. The Vermont Immune Columbia coin appears first in the present offering on the strength of its RR-1 attribution label. However, its placement is different in other references. Although dated 1785, many students of the Vermont series believe it was struck later in the 1780s. The Vermont coinage partnership including Thomas Machin and others from the Machin's Mills facility was not formed until April 1787. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.
Realized $20,562.50. Description courtesy of Heritage Auctions. |
