1785 Connecticut Copper. Miller 4.3-A.2, W-2365. Rarity-3. Bust Right. EF-45 (PCGS).

154.4 grains. An impressive piece that is among the finest and best pedigreed examples to represent the Miller number. Glossy medium olive-brown surfaces with a satiny mint texture, especially on the reverse. The obverse is a bit subdued in that regard due to some darker patina built up in the fields, yet still glossy and quite attractive overall. Excellent centering and boldly struck from an interesting late state of the dies. The high grade and smooth surfaces allow for full appreciation of the myriad cracks, flowlines, and die sinking associated with the advanced die state. All of the major design elements are bold despite the failing dies. The date, legends, and motifs are all fully displayed and there is much fine detail as well, including three visible vines on the shield. A "2" is painted in black in the right obverse field, probably an old attribution or inventory number. Interestingly, the Ford example of the same variety, ex Mills, had a black "6" painted in the same place. Sorting out the Condition Census for this variety is no easy project. There are at least two technically Mint State pieces known, including the Oechsner-Partrick coin recently sold as NGC MS-61 BN, and the "Long Island Collection" coin ex Hall as NGC MS-63 BN, but those are both flawed and/or weakly struck. Other noteworthy examples include the Newman, Miller sale, and secondary Oechsner coin, all of which appear to be fairly well struck AUs. Syd considered his coin AU-55 and finest known. It certainly seems deserving of an AU grade and we have not seen an example that is clearly superior when taking strike, surface quality, eye appeal, and sharpness all into consideration. A desirable piece and a great addition for the specialist.

PCGS# 685161.

From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex George Conrad Ham (of Naugatuck, Connecticut, 1867-1944); Anthony Terranova Collection, January 2012. Plated in The American Numismatic Society Exhibition of United States and Colonial Coins, January Seventeenth to February Eighteenth 1914, Plate 12 (listed on p. 20). Plated in Wayte Raymond's Standard Catalogue of United States Coins , all 18 editions, 1935-1957.