1772 Machin's Mills Halfpenny. Vlack 6-72A, W-7720. Rarity-6. GEORGIVS III, Group I. VF-25 (PCGS).
126.7 grains. A bold and striking example with two-tone coloration displaying deep olive-brown fields and much lighter steel devices. Attractive surfaces are predominantly smooth and glossy with just some very light porosity in areas and a few faint scratches on the portrait. Nicely centered on a slightly broader than average planchet which allows for a full border of dentils around the obverse and most of the way around the reverse which adds to the excellent eye appeal. The fascinating 72A reverse comes in a plethora of distinctly different die states throughout its two uses on 5-72A and 6-72A, with a progression of die breaks that begin on the branch arm and hand, and later expand to include the rim and IT of BRITANNIA as well. This is an intermediate state with a horn-like break off the branch hand and a crack from rim to T evidencing the beginning of the later die break there. A great piece that offers both substantial quality and technical intrigue.
PCGS# 826941.
From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Steve Frank, April 2010.

Estimate: $3000