| Description |
1787 COPPER New York, Nova Eborac, Normal Head, Seated Figure Faces Left MS64+ Red and Brown NGC. Breen-986, W-5755, R.3. As a coinage type, the four varieties are frequently encountered, and the present variety is seen nearly as frequently as the other three, combined. The rarity ratings that Q. David Bowers assigns to the four varieties in the Whitman Encyclopedia of Colonial and Early American Coins suggests a total population for all varieties of in the range of 400 to 800 coins, and 250 to 500 of those are examples of the W-5755 Medium Bust copper. All four varieties have a similar obverse with a bust facing right, NOVA at the left and EBORAC at the right, differing mainly in the size of the bust, although the rarest variety, the Small Bust, has stars in place of quatrefoils. The reverse of each has a seated figure with the legend VIRT ET LIB (Liberty and Virtue), differing in the direction of the seated figure, the spacing of the legend, and the punctuation. The present Medium Bust variety has three quatrefoils on the obverse, one quite close to the N(OVA), a second somewhat farther away from the (NOV)A but still close, the third close to the (EBORA)C. The reverse shows two quatrefoils, close to the V(IRT) and the (LI)B, respectively. Liberty's branch hand is in line with the bottom of the (VIR)T. The Whitman Encyclopedia of Colonial and Early American Coins notes that the "dies seem to be by the same hand as the 1788 Vermont Mailed Bust Right dies (W-2205)." The Breen-986, Whitman-5755 Normal Head, Seated Figure Faces Left style is the usually seen variety of Nova Eborac copper, but this piece from the Eric P. Newman Collection is a coin of remarkable quality and color for a Nova Eborac copper (or any other Colonial copper, for that matter). This MS64+ Red and Brown example is finer both in terms of color and grade than the finest at PCGS, which shows three submissions in MS62 Brown and four in MS63 Brown (4/14). At NGC, this piece is not only the sole finest Nova Eborac certified of any variety, it is also the only Red and Brown Nova Eborac that NGC has ever certified. The finest Brown Nova Eborac copper graded at NGC is a single MS62 Brown piece, also the Breen-986 variety. The MS64+ grade of this incredible coin is evinced by the noteworthy lack of any mentionable post-strike distractions. The date is lightly struck (a given on this die variety) but completely visible, unlike many examples where part of the date is off the planchet. The surfaces throughout both sides show medium tan-brown color complementing generous helpings of orange mint luster that outline the devices and illumine the interiors of most of the peripheral lettering. The strike is boldly impressed on the remainder of the devices, including the small details within Liberty's shield that are usually indistinguishable on circulated examples. This remarkable Nova Eborac, long under Eric P. Newman's careful stewardship, will be a magnificent addition to a colonial collector's cabinet. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.
Realized $55,812.50. Description courtesy of Heritage Auctions. |
