Massachusetts Cent

1787 Massachusetts Cent. Ryder 8-G, W-6160. Rarity-6+. Arrows in Left Talon. Fine-15 (PCGS).

153.6 grains. Superior quality and eye appeal for this highly elusive die pairing. Satiny surfaces are free of significant marks with mostly minor pitting that is easily overlooked. More prominent, yet still shallow flan flaws are out of the way at the lower left and right obverse borders, with another similarly minor void well concealed within the Native American's tunic. Originally toned in marbled autumn and olive-brown patina, the central reverse is blunt, but otherwise we note bold Fine detail throughout the design to further enhance this coin's appeal. Mike Packard (January 2021) has recorded only 15 examples of this rare variety. We are aware of only two other examples of the 1787 Ryder 8-G having been sold in recent years. One is the Norweb coin that appeared in the January 2015 sale of the Donald G. Partrick Collection and, later, in our March 2018 sale of the Michael Demling Collection. That coin was graded VF-20, but was fairly porous, had obvious countermarks on both sides, and a small reverse scratch. The other is the Twin Leaf specimen from our Spring 2019 Baltimore Auction, which is similarly smooth to the present example, also with a few natural flaws, yet more heavily worn. This variety was missing from Garrett, Taylor, Ford, and Newman. With buying opportunities obviously few and far between, and rarely approaching the quality seen here, the significance of this offering for the specialist can hardly be overstated.

PCGS# 302. NGC ID: 2B25.

From the Norman G. Peters Collection.

Estimate: 2000