1787 CT 1/2P DB Left, Miller 33.4-Z.2, BN MS(PCGS#685169)

August 2023 Global Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

8327

Grade

XF40

Price

1,980

Lot Description

Likely Finest Miller 33.4-Z.2 1787 Connecticut Copper. Miller 33.4-Z.2, W-3410. Rarity-6. Draped Bust Left. EF-40 (PCGS). 110.7 grains. Light olive brown with mild granularity visible under magnification. Without visual aid, the surfaces appear hard and smooth except for small striated natural planchet flaws. One small fresher nick is noted in the upper leaves of the effigy's wreath and there is a very gentle rim bump near 6 o'clock on the obverse. Centered slightly to the left on the obverse, but all peripheral details are free of the borders. The reverse is centered low, with perhaps 20% of the date digits compromised at their bases. Evenly struck, but slightly weak near the center, where traces of natural planchet texture can be seen. When we sold the Miller-Ford specimen in 2005, it was called the "finest seen." We took care in suggesting it was "high Condition Census" when we offered it again in our 2019 Twin Leaf sale. Now, having this one in hand and having studied Robert Martin's notebook as well as auction records, it is clear these two coins are, in fact, very similar. The Miller-Ford coin is darker and more granular than this one, while this has the planchet striations, but better color. The sharpness is virtually identical, but with better surfaces and better centering so it is probably the CC#1 coin, at least of those in private hands. The Canfield-ANS coin is another close contender and, again, looks very similar in every respect to this, but it also looks more granular. Most likely these three would need to be studied side-by-side, and even then, opinions might differ. Provenance: From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier from McCawley and Grellman's 2008 EAC Sale, May 2008, lot 6, via Tom Rinaldo. To view supplemental information and all items from the Sydney F. Martin Collection, click here. PCGS# 685169. Click here for certification details from PCGS. Image with the PCGS TrueView logo is obtained from and is subject to a license agreement with Collectors Universe, Inc. and its divisions PCGS and PSA.