1787 MASSACHUSETTS HALF CENT -
RYDER 4-C
Obv: circular line
connects the bottom of the bow with the Indian's right boot
Rev: single line
beneath eagle, small die line connects the tops of the 1 and the 7
|
Images courtesy of Superior
Galleries
Significant examples:
PCGS MS-66 Brown (illustrated above). Ex - Superior Galleries New
York ANA Sale, August 1-3, 2002, Lot 59, illustrated, where it was
described as follows: "1787 Massachusetts Half Cent. Ryder 4-C
Rarity-1. PCGS graded Mint State 66 Brown. Frosty light steel brown
with satiny mint luster covering both sides. No planchet flaws, spots,
or contact marks. The best identifying mark is a small splash of darker
steel brown toning in the feathers under the first T in MASSACHUSETTS.
Nicely struck except for the indian's waistband and opposing lower half
of the shield, which are not quite fully impressed. Struck very slightly
off center to K-1. An outstanding example."
PCGS MS-66 Brown.
- Stack's "Steinberg Collection", October 17, 1989, Lot 73
- Paul Arthur Norris
-
Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins
& Collectibles, Inc.'s "Pre-Long Beach Sale", September 23
& 24, 2002, Lot 55, illustrated, where it was described as follows:
"PCGS graded MS-66 Brown. Satiny brown luster in the fields, and
truly a superb example of this important Massachusetts state issue. All
devices are bold save for the very centers, which display trace weakness
on the high points. Struck on a good, clean planchet, with only minute
flaws seen near the right obverse rim. Free of spotting or similar
problems, and the fields and devices are without a blemish even under the
scrutiny of a strong 10X glass. Certainly one of the finest known, PCGS
has graded 3 coins this high, with none graded higher, further none have
been seen in the red and brown or full red category of grades either. The
die diagnostics of the minor crack through the right foot of the Indian
are present, as well as the configuration of the arrows and leaves on the
reverse confirm this is a Ryder 4-C variety.
These Massachusetts coins were designed by Joseph Callendar according to
the specifications of the Governor and Council. The engravers were Joseph
Callendar and Jacob Perkins and the coins were struck at Joshua Wetherle's
Mint in Boston. Naturally, the demand for small change was great, so few
were saved in high grades, and most circulated for many years. The
Massachusetts coinage was the first appearance of the decimal coinage
proposed by Congress in 1786, and the only half cents issued by a state.",
sold for $6,900.00
- Bowers and Merena Galleries 2002 ANA sale
Recent appearances:
PCGS MS-64 Brown. Ex - Ira
& Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.'s "Benson
II", February 18-19, 2002, Lot 10
PCGS MS-63 Brown.
Ex - Ira & Larry
Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc. "The Benson Collection,
Part III", February 24-25, 2003, Lot 16, illustrated, bought back
for $2,587.50
PCGS MS-62 Brown. Ex
– American Numismatic Rarities, LLC’s “The Classics Sale,”
July 25, 2003
, Lot 65, "Ryder
4-C, Rarity-1", illustrated, sold for $2,990.00 From
Auctions by Bowers and Merena, Inc.'s sale of the Frederick Taylor
Collection, March 1987, Lot 2112
PCGS AU-58. Ex - Early American History Auctions, Inc.'s Mail Bid
Sale, December 9, 2000, Lot 865, where it was described as follows:
"1787 MA Half Cent, Ryder 4-C, PCGS graded About Uncirculated-58. Olive
brown in color, with a great strike in the centers. One tiny rim nick
below the 87 of the date on the reverse. Dear PCGS, please start
offering variety attributions on Colonial Coins." - Early American History Auctions, Inc.'s Mail Bid
Sale, April 21, 2001, Lot 1056
SEGS AU-55. Ex - Early American
History Auctions, Inc.'s Mail Bid Sale, August 25, 2001, Lot 1392,
illustrated, where it was described as follows: "1787 MA Half Cent,
Ryder 4-C, SEGS graded About Uncirculated-55, Rim Nicks. You won't
find any wear on this coin, but you will find weak centers and some
rather obvious nicks on the top edge of the obverse and some marks in
the lower right obverse field, as well..."
PCGS AU-50. Ex - Superior Stamp
& Coin's "The ANA 2000 National Money Show Auction", March
2-3, 2000, Lot 15
"VF-35". Ex - Superior Galleries' "Pre-Long
Beach Sale", October 1-3, 2000, Lot 1017, where it was described as
follows: "Ryder 4-C Rarity-1 VF35. Glossy chocolate brown. The only
defect is a small area of microscopic roughness on the rim at the second
A in MASSACHUSETTS. Nicely struck. Later die state with a strong crack
at the bottom of the bow and die roughness evident in the obverse
fields. Weight 74.5 grains."
Sources and/or
recommended reading:
|
