1787 Connecticut Copper. Miller 37.4-k.1, W-4115. Rarity-3. Draped Bust Left. AU-58 (PCGS).

146.1 grains. Lustrous light steel brown with faint vestiges of faded mint red clinging to some of the recesses. A very choice piece with exceptional eye appeal. Smooth and hard surfaces are marred only by light roughness from the original planchet that did not completely strike out at the centers. There are no serious natural flaws or handling marks worthy of mention. Slightly off center on both sides, with TORI almost at the border while INDE is crowded but free of the rim. Nicely struck with good definition even though there is a little of the typical weakness at the centers. This piece first appeared publicly in the legendary 1975 EAC sale, where it was noted "finest we have seen, far above that in the 1973 Merkin sale." It seems to hold that status, as we have seen nothing nicer, even from the landmark Partrick Collection. Accompanied by various collector envelopes, including Syd's own, noting its superior quality and references to its "finest known" status.

PCGS# 687368. NGC ID: 2B2X.

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From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Stepney Hoard; Pine Tree's 1975 EAC Sale, February 1975, lot 152; our (Stack's) sale of May 2000, lot 61; Jim LaSarre, via John Agre and David Wnuck (Coin Rarities Online), June 2006.