1778 1/2 P Georgivs III, Machin's Mills Halfpenny, Vlack 11-78A, W-7820, R.3, MS62 Brown NGC. 110.5 grains. Die alignment: 165?. While worn, abused, and corroded examples of this variety are readily available, nice ones are rarely to be found. This is the finest graded by NGC. Gorgeous reddish-brown coloration is consistent over both sides of this well-struck piece. Strong details are visible in the hair and on Britannia's dress, and the coin is nicely centered. A planchet flaw near the R in GEORGIVS is noted, as is a pre-strike scrape above ITAN on the left reverse. This piece is illustrated in the August 1998 issue of the Colonial Newsletter devoted to the Stepney Hoard. Listed on page 69 of the 2018 Guide Book. Ex: Stepney (Fairfield County), Connecticut Hoard; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15035, realized $9000. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1776 1/2 P Georgivs III, Machin's Mills Halfpenny, Small Date, Vlack 9-76B, W-7800, R.7 -- Environmental Damage -- NGC Details. XF. 91.0 grains. Die alignment: 165?. One of perhaps a dozen known examples of the key used by Eric P. Newman to solve what he called the "Vermont Numismatic Enigma." The devices and punches used on this variety are also used on certain Vermont coppers, proving that they were made by the same outfit and explaining why British devices were being used on Vermont coinage. The surfaces show planchet roughness similar to that seen on the finest known example, sold in Part V of this collection in November 2014. It is a very late state of the obverse die, with extensive die cracks joining the cud at 12 o'clock. While the coloration of this coin has likely been affected by exposure to the elements, the piece shows strong detail and is worthy of a serious collection. Listed on page 69 of the 2018 Guide Book. Ex: Jerome Goldman; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15034, realized $14400. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1776 1/2 P Georgivs III, Machin's Mills Halfpenny, Small Date, Vlack 9-76B, W-7800, R.7 -- Environmental Damage -- NGC Details. XF. 91.0 grains. Die alignment: 165?. One of perhaps a dozen known examples of the key used by Eric P. Newman to solve what he called the "Vermont Numismatic Enigma." The devices and punches used on this variety are also used on certain Vermont coppers, proving that they were made by the same outfit and explaining why British devices were being used on Vermont coinage. The surfaces show planchet roughness similar to that seen on the finest known example, sold in Part V of this collection in November 2014. It is a very late state of the obverse die, with extensive die cracks joining the cud at 12 o'clock. While the coloration of this coin has likely been affected by exposure to the elements, the piece shows strong detail and is worthy of a serious collection. Listed on page 69 of the 2018 Guide Book. Ex: Jerome Goldman; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15034, realized $14400. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1772 1/2 P Georgivs III, Machin's Mills Halfpenny, Vlack 6-72A, W-7720, R.6, XF40 NGC. Die alignment: 150?. A tough variety to find in any condition, this is the finest graded by NGC. Light tan surfaces with a dark red area before the face make this well-struck, nicely centered piece distinctive. The reverse crack over IT identifies this as being a late die state. This piece is illustrated in the August 1998 issue of the Colonial Newsletter devoted to the Stepney Hoard. This accumulation, also called the Fairfield County Hoard, was said to have been discovered in 1950 and disbursed soon after. Several of the Machin's Mills pieces in the present offering derive from this source. Listed on page 69 of the 2018 Guide Book. Ex: Stepney (Fairfield County), Connecticut Hoard; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15033, realized $3360. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1772 1/2 P Georgivs III, Machin's Mills Halfpenny, Vlack 6-72A, W-7720, R.6, XF40 NGC. Die alignment: 150?. A tough variety to find in any condition, this is the finest graded by NGC. Light tan surfaces with a dark red area before the face make this well-struck, nicely centered piece distinctive. The reverse crack over IT identifies this as being a late die state. This piece is illustrated in the August 1998 issue of the Colonial Newsletter devoted to the Stepney Hoard. This accumulation, also called the Fairfield County Hoard, was said to have been discovered in 1950 and disbursed soon after. Several of the Machin's Mills pieces in the present offering derive from this source. Listed on page 69 of the 2018 Guide Book. Ex: Stepney (Fairfield County), Connecticut Hoard; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15033, realized $3360. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1771 1/2 P Georgivs III, Machin's Mills Halfpenny, Vlack 4-71C, W-7690, R.7, Fine 12 NGC. Die alignment: 150?. This is an exceptional example of a rare die variety within the Machin's Mills series, with a strong claim to a higher overall grade than that assigned. Dark brown fields with tan highlights provide good eye appeal to this well-struck piece. The obverse die is noteworthy for the deeply engraved bust, its primary diagnostic. The reverse die, only used in this combination, already suffers from a rim cud between 3 o'clock and 4 o'clock as well as the distinctive retained cud at the front of Britannia's throat, both of these being strong indications that the die could not be used much longer and explaining the rarity of this variety. Close examination shows incipient die buckling as well. Discovered by Richard August in 1964, there would appear to be only seven or eight known specimens of this die variety, which was lacking from the Ringo collection. This example was purchased from August in 1969, at which time Eric P. Newman indicated on his envelope that there were two known. A fascinating halfpenny. Listed on page 69 of the 2018 Guide Book. Ex: Richard August (1969); Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15032, realized $6000. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1771 1/2 P Georgivs III, Machin's Mills Halfpenny, Vlack 4-71C, W-7690, R.7, Fine 12 NGC. Die alignment: 150?. This is an exceptional example of a rare die variety within the Machin's Mills series, with a strong claim to a higher overall grade than that assigned. Dark brown fields with tan highlights provide good eye appeal to this well-struck piece. The obverse die is noteworthy for the deeply engraved bust, its primary diagnostic. The reverse die, only used in this combination, already suffers from a rim cud between 3 o'clock and 4 o'clock as well as the distinctive retained cud at the front of Britannia's throat, both of these being strong indications that the die could not be used much longer and explaining the rarity of this variety. Close examination shows incipient die buckling as well. Discovered by Richard August in 1964, there would appear to be only seven or eight known specimens of this die variety, which was lacking from the Ringo collection. This example was purchased from August in 1969, at which time Eric P. Newman indicated on his envelope that there were two known. A fascinating halfpenny. Listed on page 69 of the 2018 Guide Book. Ex: Richard August (1969); Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15032, realized $6000. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1771 1/2 P Georgivs III, Machin's Mills Halfpenny, Vlack 2-71A, W-7670, R.4, XF40 NGC. Die alignment: 190?. The viewer's eye is immediately attracted to the smooth, hard surfaces of this imitation British halfpenny produced by the mint at Machin's Mills. This is a problem-free, fairly well-centered example with an olive-brown patina and tan highlights. The 1771 Machin's Mills copper plays a significant role in Eric P. Newman's article "A Recently Discovered Coin Solves a Vermont Numismatic Enigma," in which he shows that this coin is linked to the Vermont coppers and was struck around 1787 at Machin's Mills with dies cut by James F. Atlee. This is the finest of the few pieces graded by NGC. Listed on page 69 of the 2018 Guide Book. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15031, realized $4080. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1771 1/2 P Georgivs III, Machin's Mills Halfpenny, Vlack 2-71A, W-7670, R.4, XF40 NGC. Die alignment: 190?. The viewer's eye is immediately attracted to the smooth, hard surfaces of this imitation British halfpenny produced by the mint at Machin's Mills. This is a problem-free, fairly well-centered example with an olive-brown patina and tan highlights. The 1771 Machin's Mills copper plays a significant role in Eric P. Newman's article "A Recently Discovered Coin Solves a Vermont Numismatic Enigma," in which he shows that this coin is linked to the Vermont coppers and was struck around 1787 at Machin's Mills with dies cut by James F. Atlee. This is the finest of the few pieces graded by NGC. Listed on page 69 of the 2018 Guide Book. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15031, realized $4080. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1787 CONNCT Connecticut Copper, Small Head Right, ETLIB INDE, M. 1.1-A, W-2700, R.3, VF35 NGC. Die alignment: 170?. Strong obverse detail from a firm strike provides this well-centered copper with the eye appeal needed to transcend several green corrosion spots on both sides. The reverse detail is not as strong, due to a sinking die in the center, but it remains fairly distinct. Both sides are somewhat granular, more notably the reverse. The 1.1 obverse was also used to create the 1788 Miller 1.I / Ryder 39, a Connecticut obverse muled with a Vermont reverse, one of the intriguing Machin's Mills products that make the various state copper series so much fun. A second example of Miller 1.1-A, with this piece virtually identical in sharpness to the one sold in Part IV of the Newman Collection. It is similar to the Keller example that we sold in October 2010. The 1787 Connecticut Small Head obverse was also mated with reverse die VV; it is elusive in that other combination with only about a dozen known. The Small Head coppers always enjoy strong demand from type collectors and variety specialists. Listed on page 63 of the 2018 Guide Book. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15030, realized $1140. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.