Eric P. Newman Collection, Part IX

1787 1/2 P Georgivs III, Machin's Mills Halfpenny, Vlack 18-87C, W-7930, R.4, AU53 NGC. 111.5 grains. Die alignment: 170?. A second example of this variety, in identical grade as the above piece but with entirely different eye appeal. Medium brown fields have toned a bit darker in the legends and devices, and the resulting variation emphasizes certain design features such as the lower half of Britannia. A couple of minor marks are visible on the obverse rims, but nothing too distracting. The overall impression is one of well-preserved originality, an impression shared by a remarkable list of previous owners. Listed on page 69 of the 2018 Guide Book. Ex: Dr. Thomas Hall (1909); Virgil M. Brand; Brand Estate; Burdette G. Johnson; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15040, realized $1560. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1787 1/2 P Georgivs III, Machin's Mills Halfpenny, Vlack 17-87A, W-7900, R.2, AU55 NGC. 108.0 grains. Die alignment: 180?. A third Vlack 17-87A, with a reddish-brown obverse and slightly darker reverse, both sides with original surfaces and little evidence that it spent much time in circulation. Rather well-centered, as this variety tends to come, but with the soft strike that is also typical of it. The large number of Machin's Mills pieces struck bearing the year 1787 is amusing when one considers that no genuine British halfpence of that date were issued. Listed on page 69 of the 2018 Guide Book. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15039, realized $2280. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1787 1/2 P Georgivs III, Machin's Mills Halfpenny, Vlack 17-87A, W-7900, R.2, AU55 NGC. 108.0 grains. Die alignment: 180?. A third Vlack 17-87A, with a reddish-brown obverse and slightly darker reverse, both sides with original surfaces and little evidence that it spent much time in circulation. Rather well-centered, as this variety tends to come, but with the soft strike that is also typical of it. The large number of Machin's Mills pieces struck bearing the year 1787 is amusing when one considers that no genuine British halfpence of that date were issued. Listed on page 69 of the 2018 Guide Book. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15039, realized $2280. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1787 1/2 P Georgivs III, Machin's Mills Halfpenny, Vlack 17-87A, W-7900, R.2, AU55 NGC. 123.3 grains. Die alignment: 180?. A second representative of this variety, notable for George's long nose and for the curved date sitting low in the reverse die. This is a very well-centered halfpenny, though somewhat lightly struck. What may appear as granularity on George's jaw and neck is in fact planchet roughness that the strike failed to smooth out. Likewise, the lack of detail in Britannia's dress is largely as struck. The piece has lovely dappled copper coloration and is free of any distracting marks. A bit of green between the two exergue lines is noted. Listed on page 69 of the 2018 Guide Book. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15038, realized $2640. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1787 1/2 P Georgivs III, Machin's Mills Halfpenny, Vlack 17-87A, W-7900, R.2, AU55 NGC. 123.3 grains. Die alignment: 180?. A second representative of this variety, notable for George's long nose and for the curved date sitting low in the reverse die. This is a very well-centered halfpenny, though somewhat lightly struck. What may appear as granularity on George's jaw and neck is in fact planchet roughness that the strike failed to smooth out. Likewise, the lack of detail in Britannia's dress is largely as struck. The piece has lovely dappled copper coloration and is free of any distracting marks. A bit of green between the two exergue lines is noted. Listed on page 69 of the 2018 Guide Book. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15038, realized $2640. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1787 1/2 P Georgivs III, Machin's Mills Halfpenny, Vlack 17-87A, W-7900, R.2, AU58 NGC. 118.8 grains. Die alignment: 180?. An uncommonly well-preserved example of a common Machin's Mills variety. Both sides are well-centered and solidly struck, with only a bit of weakness to the obverse laurel wreath and to Britannia's dress on the reverse. Machin's Mills products usually were lightly struck, giving them a head start on looking worn from being accepted in circulation. Eric P. Newman mentioned purchasing this in the October 1993 issue of the Colonial Newsletter, describing it as uncirculated with some red. This piece is illustrated in the August 1998 issue of the same publication, which was 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 15037, realized $6600. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1787 1/2 P Georgivs III, Machin's Mills Halfpenny, Vlack 17-87A, W-7900, R.2, AU58 NGC. 118.8 grains. Die alignment: 180?. An uncommonly well-preserved example of a common Machin's Mills variety. Both sides are well-centered and solidly struck, with only a bit of weakness to the obverse laurel wreath and to Britannia's dress on the reverse. Machin's Mills products usually were lightly struck, giving them a head start on looking worn from being accepted in circulation. Eric P. Newman mentioned purchasing this in the October 1993 issue of the Colonial Newsletter, describing it as uncirculated with some red. This piece is illustrated in the August 1998 issue of the same publication, which was 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 15037, realized $6600. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1784 1/2 P Georgivs III Imitation Halfpenny, Vlack-14-84A, W-8130, R.6, VF25 NGC. 100.1 grains. Die alignment: 300?. Difficult to locate in higher condition, the Vlack 14-84A is notoriously ill-struck, poorly centered, and crudely designed. This example is far better than most -- indeed, it is the finest graded by NGC. The uneven strike is noticeable when comparing the clear engraving of the mailed bust to the lack of detail in the face and hair; likewise on the reverse, where the date and BRITAN are rather bold while NIA fades into the background. Though no longer considered a Machin's Mills product, it is generally thought to be of American making and continues to be collected with the series. Listed on page 69 of the 2018 Guide Book. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15036, realized $2640. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1784 1/2 P Georgivs III Imitation Halfpenny, Vlack-14-84A, W-8130, R.6, VF25 NGC. 100.1 grains. Die alignment: 300?. Difficult to locate in higher condition, the Vlack 14-84A is notoriously ill-struck, poorly centered, and crudely designed. This example is far better than most -- indeed, it is the finest graded by NGC. The uneven strike is noticeable when comparing the clear engraving of the mailed bust to the lack of detail in the face and hair; likewise on the reverse, where the date and BRITAN are rather bold while NIA fades into the background. Though no longer considered a Machin's Mills product, it is generally thought to be of American making and continues to be collected with the series. Listed on page 69 of the 2018 Guide Book. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15036, realized $2640. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

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.