1787 CONNECTICUT COPPER -
MILLER 33.13-q
Rarity: Extremely Rare (4
to 5 known)
Notes:
The obverse die of this variety was also used on:
1787 Miller 33.13-Z.1
1787 Miller 33.13-Z.6
1787 Miller 33.13-Z.7
1787 Miller 33.13-ff.1
1787 Miller 33.13-hh.2
The obverse has two
noticeable flaws that become more apparent as the die wears. The
first is a small crack that connects the second C of CONNEC with the
ribbon ends. The other is a defect that appears between the T and
O of AUCTORI. Early states of this obverse show both flaws.
Terminal die states show advanced stages of these flaws, plus
additional, spidery cracks across the tip of the bust, in the left field
and across the queue.
Breen listed the emission
sequence for the 33.13 obverse as Z.1, Z.6, ff.1, hh.2, and Z.7, but was
unable to fit the q reverse into the sequence because "...we have
not seen [one] recently enough." In looking at the
photographs in the 1975 Pine Tree "The Early American Coppers
Society Convention" (Lots 227, 234, 167, 220, and 259,
respectively), it appears that this variety falls somewhere in the
middle of the sequence.
The reverse die of this
variety was also used on:
1787 Miller 33.4-q
1787 Miller 33.19-q
1787 Miller 33.43-q
Early states of the
reverse die are perfect. A small crack develops and connects the
pole hand with the rim, eventually resulting in a bulging of the die
above the crack.
Breen's imputed emission
sequence of obverses with the q reverse is 33.19, 33.43, and 33,4
(again, a Miller 33.13-q was not available to complete the
sequence). Clearly, the Miller 33.13 is the latest state in this
emission sequence.
No examples were offered
in the 1976 Pine Tree Sale, Taylor or Perkins sales.
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Images courtesy of Ron Guth
Significant examples:
Superior Galleries "Pre-Long
Beach Coin Auction", February 24-25, 2003, Lot 42, not illustrated,
where it was described as follows: "1787 Connecticut Miller
33.13-q Rarity-6 VG8. Matte dark chocolate with medium
brown highpoints. The planchet is covered with uniform extreme fine
granularity. No verdigris or marks. LDS with die failure at
the top of the staff on the reverse. A variety that's tougher than
the rarity rating might suggest; missing from the Taylor and Perkins
sales. Weight 134.9 grains.", sold for $9,775.00
Sources and/or
recommended reading:
Pine Tree Auction Company, Inc.,
"The Early American Coppers Society Convention" sale catalog,
February 15, 1975 (these are out-of-print, but can occasionally be located on eBay or
dealers in rare numismatic books)
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