1786 VT 1/2P Baby Head, BN F12BN 认证号40016960, PCGS号548

Ron Guth

The 1786 Vermont "Baby Head" is so-named because of the infantile bust on the obverse of the coin.  The head is rounded, the wreath atop the head looks like a cowlick, and the ribbon that ties the wreath is set so low that it appears as if it is tying up the baby's bib instead.  While the coin may have a juvenile look, this is one of the more sophisticated varieties of the Vermont series.  This was the ninth of the varieties identified by Hillyer Ryder (known as Ryder 9 today) and it is the only combination of the obverse and reverse dies.  The ultimate Ryder 9 is one with a defect-free, glossy tan planchet that also exhibits a full strike (as expressed in the symbols that appear on the shield on the reverse).  The best example known is the one in the Bennington Museum in Vermont.  Years ago, that coin was stolen from the museum but has since been recovered.  According to colonial coin expert, John Agre, who has viewed the coin in person, it is a stone-cold MS63 on a great planchet.  The PCGS CoinFacts Condition census starts at VF.  Any Ryder 9 in Extremely Fine or better is a condition rarity.