| Description |
1787 1/2 C Massachusetts Half Cent MS64 Brown NGC. R. 5-A, W-5960, R.3. The 1787 Massachusetts half cent series combined six obverse dies and four reverse dies to create nine varieties. Those varieties can be classified as common (Ryder 4-C and 5-A), scarce (1-D, 2-A, and 4-B), rare (3-A, 6-A, and 6-D), and extremely rare (4-D). Of the two common varieties, the 5-A offered here is seen with about half the frequency of 4-C. We recently conducted a limited review of Massachusetts copper coinage, noting 61 examples of this die marriage from a total survey of 317 1787-dated half cents. This example has satiny dark chocolate and olive-brown surfaces with traces of verdigris on the obverse, but no other imperfections of note on either side. The strike is typical of the variety and the series, with weak details at the center of the obverse, especially at the right half of the tunic. Traces of lighter gold appear at the upper reverse, faded from original mint red. Several Mint State examples of this variety are known, and the Newman coin is probably among the top 20. Ex: "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $15.00; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.
Realized $5,875.00. Description courtesy of Heritage Auctions. |
