1787 CT 1/2P Small Head, ETLIB INDE Miller 1.1-A, BN MS(PCGS#686401)

Spring 2026 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

1122

Grade

MS62BN

Price

14,400

Lot Description

122.4 grains. A truly outstanding beginning to Richard August's extensive collection of 1787 Connecticuts. Delightful chocolate brown surfaces look glossy at first glance, but up close it becomes clear that it is original mint luster delivering the superb aesthetic appeal. This variety is known to come nice on occasion, but the offered coin has the unusual combination of nice surfaces and a good strike. The natural flan clip can not be ignored, but it impacts no design features other than dentils. Some softness at the centers is noted, along with some light planchet texture, but the planchet is really not flawed to speak of. Very nice centering, as all design features (except the dentils) are comfortably away from the rims. The definition of the design is unusually crisp and very few examples seen can come close to the fullness of detail seen here. The Archangel Collection coin from our October 2018 sale came close, as did the Oechsner-Partrick coin, but neither are as boldly defined overall. Close examination of the fields shows not only the mentioned luster, but fine die finishing lines on both sides. A small old scratch is nestled into the bust of the obverse effigy and there are some very small oxidation spots, but this would be a very challenging example to improve upon. August's envelope notes that he traded Mike Ringo for this, and we are left wondering what he was willing to give up for this piece that ideally suited his favorite attributes in a colonial.