Machin's Mills Halfpenny
1772 Machin's Mills Halfpenny. Vlack 5-72A, W-7710. Rarity-6. GEORGIVS III, Group I. VF-20 (PCGS).
120.8 grains. A near twin to the other 5-72A in this collection, the inclusion of two examples results from the effort to illustrate multiple die states. This piece is from the earliest die state lacking the long and meandering die break from Britannia's arm, though a small die crack or die scratch near her wrist appears on this coin and every other 72A reverse we have seen. Surfaces are a glossy, dark brown, the strike as bold as can be on this usually shallowly struck issue. Though assigned the same grade by PCGS as the example in the previous lot, we believe this one to be accurately graded and the previous lot to be slightly undergraded. Although two pleasant examples appear in this sale, the advanced collector will recognize that that is an unlikely occurrence for this Rarity-6 die marriage.
PCGS# 939 and #826940.
From the E Pluribus Unum Collection.
Estimate: $1500