PCGS No: 554

Rarity: Common

Variety equivalents:
Breen 725, Bressett 17-V

Notes:
This was the only use of the obverse die.

The reverse of this die variety was also used on:
1787 Machin's Mills Halfpenny - Vlack 18-87C 
1787 Machin's Mills Halfpenny - Vlack 19-87C 
1787 Machin's Mills Halfpenny - Vlack 20-87C 
1787 Machin's Mills Halfpenny - Vlack 21-II-87C 
1787 Machin's Mills Halfpenny - Vlack 23-87C 

The finest 1787 Ryder 13 graded by PCGS is a single AU-55.

Images courtesy of Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles

Significant examples:
PCGS AU-50 (illustrated above).  Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.'s "Pre-Long Beach Sale", September 23 & 24, 2002, Lot 78, illustrated, where it was described as follows: "Britannia, double struck on the obverse. PCGS graded AU-50. Toned with deep chocolate brown surfaces and glossy throughout. The reverse is weak as always seen for this Machin's Mills issue, although Brittania is very plain and defined, the peripheral lettering is somewhat weak. RMON of VERMON is double struck, with the offset very clear with the N on Liberty's head from the first strike. With the diagnostic reverse weakness, we can't see any evidence of double striking there. The obverse die has a long die crack through the head and neck. On the reverse we note a minor spot on Brittania's thigh, and a thin scratch from her calf up to the rim on the left. A rarity in all grades, and we note that PCGS's online Population Report shows only 4 graded this high, with a single coin graded higher at AU-55 of this variety..."

Recent appearances:
"Extremely Fine" (illustrated below).  Ex - Early American History Auctions, Inc.'s Mail Bid Sale, December 9, 2000, Lot 888, where it was described as follows: "1787 VT Copper, "Britannia" Reverse, Ryder 13, Choice Extremely Fine, if not better.  123.9 grains. Rarity 3 (Scarce). Typical split grade, as always for this variety because the reverse was created deliberately to appear weak and worn. The obverse is very well detailed, even down to the fine details in "George's" hair. Great color and wonderful quality for the advanced collector." - Early American History Auctions, Inc.'s Mail Bid Sale, August 25, 2001, Lot 1427

"Choice Very Fine-35."  Ex - Early American History Auctions, Inc.'s Mail Bid Sale, August 25, 2001, Lot 1428, where it was described as follows: "1787 VT Copper, "Britannia" Reverse, Ryder 13, Choice Very Fine-35.    107.4 grains. Glossy, light tan and toned in attractive shades. Light pin-scratches are noted in the lower left reverse field."

PCGS VF-30.  Ex - Superior Galleries' "Pre-Long Beach Coin Sale", May 27-29, 2001, Lot 1030, plated, where it was described as follows: "1787 Vermont Ryder-13 Rarity-1 PCGS graded Very Fine-30. Glossy chocolate brown. The obverse is nice and smooth while the reverse shows extremely fine granularity under strong magnification. No marks, spots, or verdigris. A very small planchet clip slightly weakens the dentils off the bust tip. EDS."

PCGS Fine-15 (illustrated below).  Ex - Early American History Auctions, Inc.'s Mail Bid Sale, April 21, 2001, Lot 1079, where it was described as follows: "1787 VT Copper, "Britannia" Reverse, Ryder 13, PCGS graded Fine-15.  Well worn but still choice for the grade. The color is great, the surfaces are free of problems, and the details are their usually mushy selves. Struck from a late state of the dies, with a vertical crack running through the obverse effigy and a cud at the tip of the bust."

"Fine."  Ex - Early American History Auctions, Inc.'s Mail Bid Sale, August 25, 2001, Lot 1429, where it was described as follows: "1787 VT Copper, "Britannia" Reverse, Ryder 13, Fine.  95.4 grains.  Deep brown, with mostly even light surface porosity covering both sides and a minor patch of encrustation on the right side edge of the reverse.  Extremely minor planchet clip on the right side of the obverse."

Sources and/or recommended reading:
"Copper Coins of Vermont" by Tony Carlotto

"The Colonial Coins of Vermont" by Hillyer Ryder

"Vermont Copper Coinage" by Kenneth Bressett (Chapter 11 in "Studies on Money in Early America" by Eric P. Newman and Richard C. Doty)

"Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia Of U.S. And Colonial Coins" by Walter Breen

The PCGS Population Report, October 2002" by The Professional Coin Grading Service