Connecticut Coppers 1786

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1786        Miller 2. 1 - A                  mailed bust right - counterfeit CT copper

Obverse:  AUCTORI .   CONNEC .
Reverse:  ETLIB   INDE   1786

Weight:  83.2 g   (5.39 grams)              Diameter:  28.1 mm             Reverse die alignment: 330°

Comments:  This is one of only three mailed bust right varieties produced in 1786. As mentioned in the introduction this is considered a counterfeit coin produced by someone who also produced New Jersey coppers. Until recently it has been attributed to James Atlee. The coin was struck on a lightweight planchet that is typically only 66% of the legal minimum weight of 144 grains. This worn example is even lighter at slightly under 58% of the minimum. Also, the die alignment is that used on a medal where the top of both sides is at 12:00 o'clock (usually the reverse side of a coin is aligned so the top is at 6:00 o'clock in relation to the obverse).

The obverse can be distinguished as Miller 2 in that it is the only 1786 mailed busted right with a single stop after each word. There are two varieties of Miller 2 and this one can be distinguished as die 2.1 because the stops are located at the center of the letter (in 2.2 they are at the bottom) and the letters N and E in CONNEC. are more widely spaced than the other letters.

The reverse of this coin is also quite unusual in that the legend is found with ETLIB to the left and INDE to the right. This form of the legend is only found on die A of 1786 and die A of 1787.

Provenance:  From the Robert H. Gore, Jr. Numismatic Collection.

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reverse 500 dpi 250 dpi

1786        Miller 5. 11 - R                 mailed bust left - Buell, Company for Coining Coppers CT Copper

Obverse:  AUCTORI :   CONNEC :
Reverse:  INDE : [cluster of seven dots]   ET-LIB :   1786

Weight:  124.3 g   (8.05 grams)             Diameter:  28.8 mm             Reverse die alignment: 180°

Comments:   This is one of the 1786 mailed bust left varieties. The dies for both the obverse and reverse were created using the common or complex hubs produced by Abel Buell for the Company for Coining Coppers. See the introduction for details on the hand engraved areas added to each die, such as punctuation and leaves on the olive branch.

In 1786 Miller type 5 designates the mailed bust left varieties with a colon after each word in the legend. There were twelve varieties of this type. The example above is designated as variety 11 or die 5.11 and can be distinguished because both stops of the colon are small and the upper stop of each colon is positioned rather low, this is especially noticable in the first colon. This obverse was only joined with reverse R. The example shown has some planchet voids with the largest in the area of the nose. Also note the serifs on the end of the E in CONNEC are connected. This is probably due to a slight die crack as usually in Buell's E punch there is a small space between the long serifs as can be seen in the reverse of this example at ET.

Reverse R can easily be identified by the cluster of seven dots near the head. Also, the upper stop of the first colon is low and the lower stop of the second colon is into the shield. This variety also has a single exergue line. Reverse R was only joined with obverses 4.2 and 5.11. Thus, although 5.11 is not easily distinguished, the coin can readily be identified as 5.11-R for it is the only variety with the R reverse and colons on the obverse legend.

Provenance:  From the Robert H. Gore, Jr. Numismatic Collection.

Connecticut Coppers: 1785	Section Contents	Connecticut Coppers: 1787