Lot 25
1786 Nova Constellatio Pointed Rays with Small US. . Crosby 1-A Rarity-6+. VG-8. Sharpness at least F12 in many areas but the strike is soft and uneven, as usual for this extremely rare variety. The lower half of the obverse is softly struck, but the date is complete and easily readable in spite of the obvious weakness in that area. The legends and devices also are complete in spite of similar weakness in several areas. No verdigris and only a few light contact marks, including a few fine hairline scratches under US, a dull rim nick at the A in JUSTITIA, and a nick on the second O in CONSTELLATIO. The surfaces are mostly smooth but do show small planchet chips in the fields and protected areas on both sides. Such planchet flaws are typical for the variety, which many believe to have been a contemporary imitation made in the colonies, perhaps at Machin's Mills. A curved planchet clip affects the dentils over the T in LIBERTAS. Attractive glossy medium brown with reddish brown toning in protected areas. Weight 115.0 grains. Not perfect, but none of the known examples come anywhere close to that standard. A rare opportunity for the colonial specialist.
Estimated Value $13,000 - 15,000.
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| Realized $20,125 |
