1787 Connecticut Copper. Miller 56-XX, W-4340. Rarity-7-. Draped Bust Left. VG-10 (PCGS).

138.4 grains. For the relatively low grade assigned, this is an immensely pleasing coin. The surfaces are uniform chocolate brown and, aside from some microgranularity, they are rather well preserved. A couple of trivial scratches are noted on the reverse, but there is little else to report in terms of handling that one would not expect from a fairly well-worn copper. The obverse is centered low, with the base of effigy's truncation just off the edge, but the legends are full and clear. The reverse is centered high and to the right, with a broad border in opposition, and complete dentils. The upper right reverse legend is partly off the flan, though part of each letter is visible. The leftmost legend is present but weak due to the large natural bulge in this area from the failed state of the die. Bulging is also noted on the obverse, but it is less extreme. This rare variety was first published in 1928, with updates by a subsequent owner of the discovery coin in 1952, and then a more thorough discussion published in the March 1964 Colonial Newsletter. At the time, there were just two specimens known, the discovery coin and the Frederick Canfield coin at the ANS, which is much lower grade than this. Further publishing on the matter presented conflicting opinions as to the nature of this reverse identity (some attributed it to the RR reverse, including the 2020 Heritage offering of the Taylor-Partrick coin) but Clark has clarified this as the XX reverse. A very pleasant piece, much more so than most of the other survivors. This is certainly a Condition Census coin for the variety. Both sides are plated in Clark.

PCGS# 918320. NGC ID: 2B2X.

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From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex David Wnuck, September 2003; Jim LaSarre, via John Agre and David Wnuck (Coin Rarities Online), June 2006.