1787 CT 1/2P B over Cinquefoil, M 33.17-r.1, BN MS(PCGS#685140)

August 2023 Global Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

8361

Grade

AU53BN

Price

1,320

Lot Description

Lustrous Miller 33.17-r.1 1787 Connecticut Copper. Miller 33.17-r.1, W-3625. Rarity-1. Draped Bust Left, B (LIB) over Cinquefoil. AU-53 (PCGS). 128.0 grains. Lovely light olive brown with slight golden highlights, rich luster through the fields and traces of unmistakable faded red clinging to some of the recesses on both sides. Struck on a very nice flan with only a couple of inconsequential natural flaws well hidden in the design features. Smooth surfaces with the only roughness being natural texture from the original planchet. Struck a bit unevenly with broad soft areas at the lower obverse and upper reverse. Alternatively, the remaining areas are boldly defined. Centered just slightly imperfectly with the top leaf point of the wreath off the flan, and the same is true of the lower portions of the date digits. Legends and punctuations are clear, particularly the distinctive B over cinquefoil engraver's error. Strong clash marks left and right of the effigy. The grade seems a little conservative, as this coin looks virtually Mint State. Provenance: From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex John Agre and Dave Wnuck (Coin Rarities Online), March 2005; Jim LaSarre, via John Agre and Dave Wnuck (Coin Rarities Online), June 2006. To view supplemental information and all items from the Sydney F. Martin Collection, click here. PCGS# 685140. 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.