1787 Connecticut Copper. Miller 37.3-i, W-4110. Rarity-3. Draped Bust Left--Multiple Strike. VF Details--Edge Damaged (PCGS).

142.5 grains. Rosy surfaces have clearly been cleaned at some point, and have somewhat toned back in the protected areas. The edge has been gently tamped, raising the rims a bit, and someone long ago thought to add initials in the obverse field but these features pale in significance to the dramatic and extremely rare multiple strike on display here. Struck at least four times, though Syd's envelope suggests he saw five impressions. Three of these impressions are unmistakable on both sides, while the fourth one we see is represented by only a single errant eyeball on the upper right obverse that does not align to any of the obvious legends. As we noted in our March 2000 sale of this coin from the extensive Robert Lindesmith holdings, "M.O.S. (Multiple Offset Strike) coins are quite scarce [in the Connecticut series]" but a quadruple strike is "a rarity of major importance." It is certainly eye-catching!

PCGS# 687367. NGC ID: 2B2X.

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From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier from our (Bowers and Merena's) sale of the Robert Lindesmith Collection, March 2000, lot 28; Jim LaSarre, via John Agre and David Wnuck (Coin Rarities Online), June 2006.