| Description |
1787 COPPER Connecticut Copper, Mailed Bust Left, 1787 over 1788 VF35 NGC. M. 15-R, W-2910, R.7. 100.3 grains. The obverse and reverse legends are diagnostic, with Connecticut abbreviated CONNECT, and the reverse lettered IND ET LIB. Furthermore, the reverse has a blundered date that was originally entered as 1788, and corrected to 1787. The underlying 8 is faint on this example. The blundered reverse appears with obverse dies 9 and 15, both included in this sale. The upper obverse border is defective as produced on this dark olive and steel-brown example. Slight planchet roughness is evident on the obverse, and both sides exhibit microscopic post-production granularity. The strike is nicely centered with considerable border detail visible. Miller 15-R is an extremely rare variety that is rated URS-4 in the Whitman Colonial Encyclopedia, indicating a total population of only five to eight coins. Michael Hodder estimates the variety as R.7 on the Sheldon scale, indicating a population of four to 12 coins. Robert Martin reports six verified examples and two other unverified pieces. Known examples include the present coin, the 1975 Pine Tree-EAC coin that was undergraded as Fine to Very Fine, the rough VF Ford specimen, and the Canfield-ANS example with Very Fine detail and similarly rough surfaces. This example from the Eric P. Newman Collection is among the finest known. Side-by-side comparison would be necessary to verify the census order. Ex: Dr. Thomas Hall; Virgil Brand; Brand Estate (sold for $2.00 on May 17, 1935); B.G. Johnson (sold for $20.00); Eric P. Newman; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.
Realized $23,500.00. Description courtesy of Heritage Auctions. |
