Machin's Mills Halfpenny

Choice 1787 Machin's Mills Vlack 17-87E Rarity

1787 Machin's Mills Halfpenny. Vlack 17-87E, W-7920. Rarity-7. GEORGIVS III, Group II. VF-25 (PCGS).

125.2 grains. One of the enduring rarities of the series, the 17-87E was discovered by David Sonderman in 1977 and published in the April 1978 issue of Colonial Newsletter, a few years after the 1974 publication of Vlack's second photographic plate. A second purported example was reported at the same time by Sonderman, but doesn't seem to exist, while in the July 1979 Colonial Newsletter, Jim Spilman published this example, then owned by William Anton, Jr., who reported to have had it in his collection for 12 years. A few additional specimens have come to light, bringing the count to only seven pieces in 44 years, including a beautiful example in the Richard August Collection reported to be Mint State and plated in Dave Bowers' Whitman Encyclopedia. Vlack 17-87E's rarity can easily be explained by the huge die break that starts as a thin crack at the rim between TA of BRITAN, extending into the field above Britannia's left leg, where it is quite thick and deep, creating multiple planes to the die face. The die undoubtedly fell apart or became otherwise unusable due to the break and was taken out of service before too many additional strikes could be made. The cause of the massive break might have been a severe clashing of the dies, which transferred outlines of the mail from George's bust into the field in front of Britannia's face, seen only on the Sonderman specimen; all other known examples show the die clashing overly enthusiastically polished from the die face, which also effaced the majority of Britannia's head, the N of BRITAN, much of the sprig and all of her left hand and forearm. Pre-clash strikes must have been very few, as none seem to have survived to the present day. This is a remarkably pleasing example with smooth, glossy surfaces and nice contrasting toning, dark brown fields with lighter steel devices. Only a handful of tiny marks can be found and a bit of natural planchet roughness across the obverse. There are a few higher grade examples known, yet this coin has a superior strike and shows detail in the obverse effigy's hair and wreath, as well as the reverse seated figure, that are missing on either or both of those technically finer pieces. Here is an exciting offering for Machin's Mills enthusiasts that will undoubtedly inspire robust bidding.

PCGS# 826957.

From the Norman G. Peters Collection.

Estimate: 7500