1787 Fugio Copper. Pointed Rays. Newman 10-G, W-6700. Rarity-5. UNITED STATES, 1/Horizontal 1. EF-40 (PCGS).

Excluding the unique Newman 10-OO, this is the tougher of two scarce die varieties using the 1/Horizontal 1 obverse and these two die pairs alone comprise two major Guide Book varieties, as one has a UNITED STATES reverse and the other a STATES UNITED. Newman 10-G, the UNITED STATES reverse version, is the slightly scarcer and considerably more conditionally challenging of the two as evidenced by only 12 graded examples at PCGS as opposed to 20 for the STATES UNITED reverse. The offered coin from the Fricke collection is the second highest graded at PCGS behind one AU-50 and is among the very nicest examples available in terms of overall, quality, originality, and eye appeal. The surfaces are a natural and attractive medium brown with no serious marks or flaws and a reasonably good strike for the variety. The date is especially bold and the all-important blundering on the first date digit is crisp and obvious. A few insignificant patches of light roughness on the left side of the obverse are of no real consequence to the overall appearance. Here is a great opportunity for advanced Fugio collectors and a coin that would certainly not need to be, nor really could be, upgraded.

PCGS# 878085.

From the Pierre Fricke Collection. Earlier from Heritage's sale of the W. Philip Keller Collection, October 2010 Coinfest Auction, lot 3376; Anthony Terranova.