1786 Connecticut Copper, Miller 5.2-H.1, VERY RARE VARIETY, ex Rothschild

Description: 1786 Connecticut Copper. Miller 5.2-H.1, W-2545. Rarity-6. Fine overall, the obverse weaker than the reverse as always found. This was the Neil Rothschild specimen, and appeared in the January 2021 sale of his collection after his untimely death. It was described there as “The obverse is considerably weaker (worn out die) while the reverse would grade Fine or a bit better. Slightly glossy chocolate and olive brown with lighter brown toning on the devices. The planchet is covered with fine granularity on all but the highpoints which are nearly smooth. No verdigris, and the only contact mark is a minor rim bruise at the A in AUCTORI. Later die state with swelling and weakness on the obverse. The legends on the obverse are weak; the date and legends on the reverse are easily readable but the top of INDE is off the planchet. Weight 116.0 grains. Ex (possibly) Bowers & Merena 1/1989:25.” This type of strike is typical for the variety, usually appearing a grade weaker or with a compromise grade – here the obverse looks close to Fine, while the reverse is fully of the VF level, as can be seen in the bold branch and drapery on the seated figure. A legitimately rare variety, the majority of specimens known are in very low grade, though there are a handful of nice ones – the finest being an Unc in the ANS collection, while Syd Martin’s Choice EF, ex Dr. Hal-Brand-Taylor, is likely the next nicest known, and Ted Craige’s EF and the Ford-Tannenbaum EF after that. The Norweb-Perkins-Partrick coin was graded Fine and this example is a bit sharper on the obverse and free of the heavy contact marks on that coin; when that coin was offered in the Perkins sale in 2000 it was catalogued as much higher in the Condition Census than it actually was, and realized just shy of $5,000! In his annotations to that sale, Robert Martin noted just 10 examples of the variety in his database which is the exact number of different coins in both the Stack’s Bowers and Heritage archives! While a few more definitely exist, the variety is still comfortably in the R-6 range. The passing of several copper collectors in the last decade has meant the supply-demand balance is a bit out of whack, which means it is an excellent time to buy rarer varieties in solid collectible grade, while they are selling at something of fire sale prices – this is a situation that will not last, especially with the publication of Randy Clark’s excellent new book on the series! This coin, which I think is nicer overall than the Partrick coin, will cost you even less money. Accompanied by the lot ticket from the Rothschild auction.This general type is pictured and listed on Page 61 of the 2024 edition of The Redbook [which has had massive pricing updates, and is now FAR more accurate than it ever has been, even though it resulted in lowering of prices for many common type coins!]. The variety is also listed in the 2020 book on colonials edited by Q. David Bowers, the Whitman Encyclopedia of Colonial and Early American Coins, as W-2545, page 169, where it is priced with a handful of auction records. ALL items we sell are sent via insured mail [or Registered mail for items over $500]. California residents must add appropriate sales tax. The pictures are of the actual coin being offered, and have been enlarged in size to show the detail – and we have included a photo of the PCGS slab, and the PCGS Truview photo as well. We have over 35 years experience as professional dealers in US colonial coinage – and another 15 years prior to that as collectors of the series as well. As always, we offer a full, no-questions-asked return policy of 30 days after receipt of the coin if it fails to meet your needs in ANY way – AND WE OFFER ONE OF THE STRONGEST RETURN GUARANTEES ON E-BAY, though it has seldom been used; please check out our Feedback Profile or e-mail any comments or questions that you may have. Thank you again for your interest, and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

Price: 300 USD

Location: San Diego, California

End Time: 2024-09-01T23:21:07.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD