1787 Fugio 1C 8 Pointed Stars, BN MS(PCGS#898)

The August 2013 Chicago ANA World's Fair of Money

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

1379

Grade

AU53

Price

4,406

Lot Description

The Picker Eight-Pointed Star Fugio 1787 Fugio Copper. Pointed Rays. Newman 15-Y, W-6915. Rarity-2. STATES UNITED, 8-Pointed Star on Label. AU-53 (PCGS). 130.9 grains. An important specimen of this popular variety, exquisitely well struck with both of the eight-pointed stars fully bold. Glossy chocolate brown with hints of lustre and excellent eye appeal. Some very shallow marks have penetrated the patina around sunface, top of the sundial, and around GI of FUGIO. Some harmless verdigris is noted around design elements, no heavy marks. Early die state with the cracks at the bottom of the reverse still quite delicate. Ranked as fourth finest in the Retz census, though neither of the Boyd-Ford coins were listed, nor was the very sharp Parsons-Craige piece. Though this variety is not a rarity, it is scarce in high grades and downright rare with both stars visible. This one is picture perfect on that score. PCGS# 898. Provenance: From the Robert Ayers Collection. Earlier from our (Stack's) sale of the Richard Picker Collection of Colonial & Early American Coins, October 1984, lot 294. Lot tag included.