1786 Connecticut Copper. Miller 5.2-H.1, W-2545. Rarity-6. Mailed Bust Left. EF-45 (PCGS).

126.4 grains. Impressive surfaces gleam with original mint gloss. Beautiful golden-tan color that is even across both sides save for some darker toning within the modest planchet flaws. Somewhat softly struck as is typical for the variety, and perhaps there is the barest rub on some of the high points, but the technical grade is obviously better than EF. It was graded EF-40 in the Taylor sale, a catalog known for its conservative grading, but the description notes B.G. Johnson described the coin in 1935 as "Uncirculated, weakly struck on a poor planchet." While the planchet isn't perfect, it could certainly be much worse, and the glossy luster and choice color more than make up for it. Consistent with a coin that saw little to no circulation, there are no contact marks worth mentioning and no other post-strike issues of any consequence. The only example that we are aware of that is any better than this piece is the fabulous Mint State coin in the ANS Collection. After that this is clearly the finest seen. The Norweb-Perkins-Partrick coin was erroneously described in the Perkins catalog as comparable and even "arguably better" than the present coin, presumably because the latter was not seen in person. The grade of NGC F-12 received by the former in the Partrick sale confirms they are not in the same league. Other noteworthy examples were sold in our (Stack's) May 2007 sale and our January 2012 sale of the Tanenbaum Collection, but both pale in comparison to the Martin coin. With the added status of being a frontline Dr. Hall Collection coin, with his painted attribution on edge, this is easily the most desirable example of this rare variety available to collectors.

PCGS# 686832.

From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Dr. Thomas Hall; Virgil Brand; New Netherlands Coin Co.'s 51st Sale, June 1958, lot 72; Heritage's September 2005 Long Beach Auction, lot 191; Heritage's March 2006 Palm Beach, FL Auction, lot 21.