1787 Massachusetts Cent. Ryder 7-H, W-6150. Rarity-7-. Stout Indian. MS-63 BN (PCGS).
A tremendous example of this rare and exciting Massachusetts cent variety, a contemporary counterfeit issue believed to have been struck at Machin's Mills. This impressive Choice Mint State coin is among the three finest of just a dozen examples accounted for. Lustrous surfaces offer wonderful eye appeal and originality, predominantly light brown with a reddish-tan complexion in the fields as a sign of mint color that has only lightly faded. Glossy, slightly reflective mint luster covers both sides and there are glimpses of prooflike flash beneath the choice, original skin. This piece has the sharpest central definition of any example seen, with fully raised lines on the tunic and belt and nearly full shield lines and feather detail on the particularly high relief reverse motif. A bit of weakness at the obverse border from 3:00 to 6:00 and corresponding portion of the reverse was sacrificed for the superb and exceptional level of detail elsewhere on the coin. Clearly well preserved and absent any circulation wear, appears to display absolutely no contact marks, only tiny planchet flakes and trivially rough texture in places where the surface didn't fully smooth out upon strike. Surprisingly for such a rare variety, there are at least three Uncirculated examples known. For the collector seeking a high grade example of the Machin's Mills Massachusetts copper type, Ryder 7-H is your best option as there are no other conclusively Mint State specimens extant of any of the other three contemporary counterfeit varieties. Among the three high grade examples of the present variety, the Ford coin is generally considered the finest. It was called Gem Uncirculated in that catalog and certainly has the best luster of the three, but has weakly struck centers with CENT very weak. The other coin in this elite trio is the Mills-Earle-Picker-Partrick-Twin Leaf example graded NGC MS-63 BN CAC. That coin has a more well balanced strike than the other two, not as sharp at the centers as the present Martin example but with stronger peripheries, and has choice color but slightly subdued luster. Regardless of how one ranks the three, any one of them would be a significant highlight in any collection of Massachusetts coppers, especially considering this variety was missing altogether from the likes of Garrett, Taylor, Norweb, and Newman. These Machin's Mills varieties are among the most desirable and elusive in the Massachusetts cent series, and a beautiful high grade example such as this represents an important bidding opportunity for the advanced collector.
PCGS# 902521.
From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Anthony Terranova; Stack's (privately); Jon Hanson, April 1988; Heritage's sale of the Donald G. Partrick Collection, January 2015, lot 5709.