Undated (1737) Higley Copper. Freidus 3.3-C, W-8280. Rarity-7+. VALUE ME AS YOU PLEASE / J CUT MY WAY THROUGH, Broad Axe. Fine-15 (PCGS).
137.5 grains. Both sides are toned in a deep, rich and even olive-brown shade. The surfaces in most places are smooth and hard, granularity being confined principally to the centers. Partial central detail showing, the top of the deer's figure soft, legend at lower left and pointing hard indistinct, but sharp elsewhere. On the reverse, the broadaxe is about as bold as ever seen given the die failure affecting this side, and the legend around is complete save for the last three letters, which are faint to indistinct. Struck on a flawed planchet, with linear defects showing at the lower left on the obverse. Reverse cut from edge into center, quite possibly to test the metal. Along with Ford II:272, this coin is another addition to the Dan Freidus Higley census, which includes only four coins from these dies. One of just six examples of Freidus 3.3-C traced, therefore, and another exceptionally rare bidding opportunity for the advanced numismatist with an interest in these fascinating, if enigmatic colonial era coppers.
PCGS# 213. NGC ID: AUAX.
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From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Hillyer C. Ryder; Dr. Thomas Hall; F.C.C. Boyd; John J. Ford, Jr.; our (Stack's) sale of the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, Part II, May 2004, lot 273; Heritage's FUN Signature Auction of January 2010, lot 2389.

Estimate: $47500