1787 Connecticut Copper. Miller 37.15-h.3, W-4195. Rarity-7. Draped Bust Left. EF-40 (PCGS).

139.2 grains. Medium to light brown over much of the surface though the peripheral recesses are a bit darker olive brown and a central spot at the reverse has taken on much deeper color. Microgranular with a couple of small patches of deeper porosity, and one small natural void at the first two digits of the date. The eye appeal is nice for the grade, in no small part due to the excellent centering and strong peripheral details. The centers are a bit weakly struck with a bit of natural texturing, but this is minor and, clearly, as made. An interesting piece to study, struck from boldly clashed dies that have left deep incuse artifacts visible on both sides (the full date is incuse over the effigy's head). The centers have sunk and buckled, and small rim failures have formed at the obverse just below the left truncation and on the reverse just left of Liberty's head. A casual observation suggests that these two lumps are the result of an edge bump as they correspond directly in position to each other, but they are not. There is no distortion in the edge or surrounding metal visible on either side. They are simply curiously aligned die failures. A very rare variety not known to Miller, and first published by Frederick Canfield and Hillyer Ryder in the American Journal of Numismatics in 1920, after Miller's reference was already in print. Very few are known, and all were in low grade until this example turned up. The background is a little unclear and accounts vary a bit-Robert Martin's notebook indicates an eBay listing in February 2005, and Syd Martin's records indicate his purchase date as February 2004. Whatever the case, this coin remains the finest known by a wide margin and is the coin to own for anyone seeking the very best Connecticuts.

PCGS# 687277. NGC ID: 2B2X.

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From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex eBay, 2005 (per the Martin Notebook); Christopher B. Young, February 2004 (per Syd's acquisition notes).