Eric P. Newman Collection, Part IX (Envelopes)

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.

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.

1786 CONNCT Connecticut Copper, Mailed Bust Left, M. 5.5-M, W-2595, R.3, AU55 NGC. Die alignment: 195?. A Choice AU 1786 Connecticut copper is always remarkable, and the present coin seems certain to rank high among its few peers. Light tan coloration with copper undertones mellows to darker brown in a few areas mostly on the obverse. While the centers are a bit weakly struck, the peripheries are rather strong, with a bold date and legends. There are few surface marks -- indeed, the original envelope accompanying this piece calls it uncirculated. Superior to any of the Ford, Taylor, or Perkins pieces. The reverse is a somewhat early die state, for while the crack extending clockwise from INDE is visible, the die failure at Liberty's shins is just becoming apparent. Listed on page 63 of the 2018 Guide Book. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15029, realized $4560. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1786 CONNCT Connecticut Copper, Hercules Head, M. 5.3-N, W-2575, R.2, XF40 NGC. Die alignment: 180?. An ideal candidate for inclusion in a Colonial type set, being an exceptional example of the only generally collectible variety of the Hercules Head. Lovely medium-brown coloration with tan highlights augments this well-centered coin. The planchet flaws endemic to these pieces mostly avoid the face on this one, and it has few post-strike problems. The reverse is an early state; die buckling, just discernable here, causes most examples to have weak detail, often made worse by clashing. White lettering on the edge confirms the Hall provenance. Listed on page 63 of the 2018 Guide Book. Ex: Dr. Thomas Hall (1909); Virgil M. Brand; Brand Estate; Burdette G. Johnson (1937); Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15028, realized $3600. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1788 1/2 C Massachusetts Half Cent, Ryder 1-B, W-6010, R.2, MS63 Brown NGC. Die alignment: 180?. Consistent light brown toning with underlying red and olive hues gives this Select Uncirculated Massachusetts half cent strong eye appeal to accompany its high technical grade. A few scattered dark spots fail to detract from the obverse Native American or reverse eagle. While the shield's lettering is a bit weak, the reverse arrows are carefully delineated and the feathers are neatly engraved. Struck from the unbroken state of the reverse die. During the Confederation period, three states (Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Connecticut) and the Republic of Vermont authorized the production of copper coins. Only Massachusetts struck both half cents and cents, with the others content to continue the tradition of "coppers" of often dubious weight. Listed on page 61 of the 2018 Guide Book. Ex: "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Eric P. Newman and Burdette G. Johnson; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15024, realized $4560. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1737 THREEPENCE Higley Copper, CONNECTICVT, Freidus 1.3-A, W-8215, R.7, Fine 15 NGC. 124.0 grains. Die alignment: 180?. An American classic. The obverse detail on this coin is exceptional for the grade level, with any number of higher-grade examples having less to offer in terms of visible design elements. The deer is outstanding, fully formed with distinct edges, a clearly rendered eye, and antlers on which one can easily count four points apiece. Given the importance of the Higley deer as one of the premier instances of early American folk art on coins, the viewer could hardly ask for more. The obverse legend is affected by pitting around the border, especially clockwise between 12 o'clock and 7 o'clock, but it remains clear and fully legible. Even the minor aspects of the coin's artistry -- the double line on which the deer stands, the single line encircling it, and the dentilation around the border -- are unusually distinct. It is indisputable that the obverse of this example must have been unusually well-struck. Higley coppers tend to be well-centered, and this one is no exception. The reverse is less firmly struck and the level of detail visible is more in keeping with what one expects of a coin in this grade. The central crowned hammers are mostly soft, with the one on the lower left being the sharpest. CONNECTICVT is somewhat faint, with TIC being especially light. The small numerals of the date are easy to miss at first glance, but they are all present and reasonably clear, as is the star to their left. The marginal pitting seen on the obverse is also present here, but to a lesser extent. On both sides, tan highlights distinguish the design from darker brown fields. The overall eye-appeal is very strong. This particular die variety was unknown to Crosby, and was brought to the attention of the numismatic community in an article by Henry Chapman in the March 1916 issue of The Numismatist. Dan Freidus traced six examples of it in his 1994 Coinage of the Americas Conference presentation subsequently published by the ANS in The Token: America's Other Money. The Higley coppers have long been regarded as among the most important early American coins, and the lack of documentary evidence relating to them has made them the stuff of legend. This piece provides exceptional value and will be a point of pride for its next owner. Listed on page 50 of the 2018 Guide Book. Ex: Waldo Newcomer; "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Eric P. Newman and Burdette G. Johnson; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15017, realized $102000. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1723 FARTH Hibernia Farthing, Silver, Martin 3.3-Bc.3, W-12500, R.5, AU58 NGC. 74.0 grains. Die alignment: 180?. A pleasing representative of the silver Hibernia farthings, struck under unknown circumstances by William Wood. This piece exhibits deep cabinet toning of smoky gray with a blush of pink, accentuated by iridescent blue highlights in the legends, and with prooflike surfaces. Very light rub to the highpoints of the hair, and to Hibernia's dress and harp, are barely noticeable under the undisturbed toning, evidence of nearly 300 years of care. While Bowers notes in his Colonial Encyclopedia that this is the "most available silver striking in the Wood's Hibernia series," this is probably due to the discovery in the 1950s of as many as 25 silver farthings that had been kept in a tube with silver Hibernia halfpennies for ends. Silver farthings were considered much more rare before then, with the Garrett collection lacking a single example and with the envelope accompanying this piece marked "Probably unique." From the earliest obverse die state. Listed on page 46 of the 2018 Guide Book. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15015, realized $3840. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

(c. 1670) FARTH Mark Newby's St. Patrick Farthing, Silver -- Mount Removed -- NGC Details. Fine. Breen-210, W-11520, R.5. 99.5 grains. Die alignment: 360?. A well-worn but still attractive example of these mysterious coins. The obverse shows strong detail for the grade, with no real problems to mention. Much the same could be said of the reverse were it not for the obvious signs of prior mounting affecting this piece. The color is brownish-gray with occasional brassy spots. The exact status of these silver "farthings" -- whether intended as circulating coins, medals, presentation pieces, or patterns -- remains unclear. Listed on page 43 of the 2018 Guide Book. Ex: "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Eric P. Newman and Burdette G. Johnson; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15013, realized $3360. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.