Vermont Copper

1786 Vermont Copper. Landscape. RR-7, Bressett 5-E, W-2025. Rarity-3. VERMONTENSIUM. Choice Extremely Fine.

139.1 grains. A coin that will undoubtedly be called fully AU by some, the ruddy-brown surfaces exhibit a touch of original mint luster and gloss indicative of its high grade, described succinctly by the consignor to our (Stack's) March 2008 sale as "lustrous surfaces." The lighter tan or coppery colored areas on both sides are where the original mint red color was last to fade. Very well struck, the obverse is a trifle off center, affecting the very tops of the letters VERMO; the reverse is a little less off center, without any loss to the legends. Some minor, inherent-to-the-planchet flakiness at the centers on both sides is visible under magnification, as are a series of very fine parallel hairlines running diagonally in the field above the plow. A rival for the EF and AU Norweb, Roper and Ford specimens, and a coin that will see spirited bidding as a well struck, well preserved survivor of the classic Vermont Landscape type.

PCGS# 545.

From the Q. David Bowers Collection. Earlier ex our (Stack's) Minot Collection sale, March 2008, lot 50. Earlier ex Ted Craige, privately. Lot tag included.

Estimate: 6000