1787 VT 1/2P Britannia, BN MS(PCGS#554)

March 2018 Baltimore U.S. Coins Auction

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

3079

等级

MS60BN

价格

19,759

详细说明

1787 Vermont Copper. RR-13, Bressett 17-V, W-2255. Rarity-1. BRITANNIA. MS-60 BN (PCGS). Offered is a remarkably well preserved example of a conditionally challenging Vermont copper variety. The obverse is satiny in texture with considerable gloss, and the surface is toned in handsome copper-rose and steel-brown. Faint traces of original pinkish-orange luster are noted in the protected areas around several of the letters in the legend VERMON AUCTORI. The details of the portrait are razor sharp throughout, while the denticulation is present only from 6 to 12 o'clock due to the impression being off center slightly to 3 o'clock. The reverse is typically soft for the variety, as the die was in an advanced state after having been used to strike several varieties of Machin's Mills halfpence (in which series it is known as reverse 87C). Even so, there is a nice amount of bold detail to the seated figure on the present example, and some of the peripheral lettering is also partially discernible. The date is absent, as often seen, and the impression is slightly off center to 3 o'clock. Pleasingly toned, much like the obverse, the overall satin texture displays warm medium brown. Neither side reveals any significant marks, although we do note numerous small and moderate-size flan flaws around the reverse border that are particularly pronounced from 9 to 2 o'clock. With an extant population of more than 1,250 coins (per Tony Carlotto), RR-13 vies with RR-16 as the most available die marriage among Vermont coppers. In keeping with the standards of the series, however, the typical survivor is well worn, if not also impaired, and problem free examples in EF and higher grades can be difficult to come by. This is the only Mint State example certified by PCGS, a coin that would do justice to the finest early copper type set or specialized variety collection. PCGS Population: just 1 in all Mint State grades. PCGS# 554. NGC ID: 2B5C. Click here for certification details from PCGS.