1787 Connecticut Copper. Miller 33.12-Z.16, W-3535. Rarity-5. Draped Bust Left. AU-55 (PCGS).
143.9 grains. Deep olive and steely brown with pleasing mint luster on both sides giving this piece a lively and choice appearance. One light oxidation spot is noted on the reverse at the upper right cinquefoil, but it appears quite old and stable. No other handling marks or flaws are noted beyond some very light natural planchet impairments. These are little more than faint intermittent streaks of darker patina, with only a couple of minuscule related laminations. Beautifully struck with essentially ideal centering on both sides. Another really lovely Connecticut from the legendary Stepney Hoard that produced many nice coppers in this series. It is much finer than any we have handled, and only the Dr. Hall-Hessberg-Partrick coin is considered as nice (graded MS-61 by NGC). In fact, Robert Martin noted these two as tied for finest known honors. This is struck a little better, particularly on the reverse, but the small spot balances the scales a bit.
PCGS# 685183.
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From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier from the Stepney Hoard (1951) and Ted L. Craige (according to Walter Breen); Pine Tree's 1975 EAC Sale, February 1975, lot 245; our (Stack's) sale of May 2000, lot 47; Jim LaSarre, via John Agre and Dave Wnuck (Coin Rarities Online), June 2006.

Estimate: $4250