Lot 203
1739 Higley Copper with Broad Axe Breen-242, Freidus 3.2-D PCGS graded G4. Slightly glossy medium steel brown and chocolate. The surfaces are nearly smooth, free of any trace of corrosion or verdigris, which is quite unusual for these extremely rare early coppers. However the coin is well worn and there are a few dull dents on both sides. The deer and legend (III) are clear, but only portions of the other legends remain visible. The axe is weak but most of it can be made out with a bit of effort, and at least a third of the letters in J CUT MY WAY THROUGH are readable although several are faint or incomplete. Only faint traces of the date remain visible. In spite of the wear and marks, this is still a quite acceptable example of the "Broad Axe" type, a "Redbook" variety that is missing from most advanced collections. Records indicate that as many as 15 Broad Axe Higley coppers are known, but most come with the undated (1737) obverse. And several of those are impounded in museum collections. A rare opportunity for the serious collector of Early American coinage. The attribution and Royse-Heard provenance are noted on the PCGS label. Listed on page 51 in the "Redbook." Estimate Value $25,000 - UP
Ex Robert Prann Collection, 1947 ANA Sale (Numismatic Gallery) lot 579-unknown-French's 2/20/1969-John Royse Collection, Stack's Bowers 11/16/2012:6017-Gene Heard Collection (includes the French's envelope that also served as the Royse collection envelope).
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| Realized $43,475 |
