1788 VT 1/2P Bust Right, BN MS(PCGS#563)

The November 2012 Baltimore Auction

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

6671

Grade

F15BN

Price

764

Lot Description

1788 Vermont Copper. RR-22, Bressett 10-Q, W-2165. Rarity-4. Bust Right. Fine-15. 122.8 grains. Uniformly microgranular deep chestnut-brown with deep golden-brown high points. Obverse nicely centered, rim nicks at 12 and 4 o'clock, the latter affecting the tops of RI, no other noticeable marks, reverse off-center toward the top, the rim affecting the top of Liberty's head, her pole hand, and the tops of ET LIB, no noticeable circulation marks address the unaided eye, faint die break up from Liberty's foot, bold break and swelling arc across Liberty's legs into field near branch hand. As noted in the Carlotto reference: "This coin is rare above Fine. The copper quality of the coins available is mediocre also." We note that RR-22 was conspicuously absent from such sales as Taylor, Roper, and Picker; for some time it was considered Rarity-6, but several previously unknown specimens have come into the marketplace in recent memory. The weight of the present piece falls comfortably into the variety's metrology of 115 to 125 grains. Pleasing to the eye despite the minor drawbacks, with sharpness in a few places that exceeds our Fine-15 grade. PCGS# 563. Provenance: From the Dan Freidus Collection. Acquired from Mike Ringo, August 1999. Paper envelope with attribution and pedigree notes included.