1787 Immunis Columbia Copper / Large Eagle Reverse. W-5680. Rarity-4+.

Superb Mint State 1787 Immunis Columbia Copper The Eliasberg Specimen 1787 Immunis Columbia Copper / Large Eagle Reverse. W-5680. Rarity-4+. Plain Edge, Narrow Planchet. MS-64 BN (NGC). One of the very finest survivors of this fascinating coinage. The surfaces are highly lustrous, frosty, and lovely, with a golden tinge over lovely light steel-brown fields. The detail is exceptional, free from friction or weakness, with every fold of drapery, feature of the face, and feather on the eagle fully delineated. Centering is always an issue on these, with the dies struck on plump, narrow planchets. This one shows full legends on both sides, with the obverse framed by denticles from below 9 o'clock to 1 o'clock. The tops of the letters US UNU are interrupted by the rim on the reverse, and the top halves of all four date digits are visible at the base of the obverse. There are some trivial scattered hairlines, and a couple of insignificant marks like the one under the letter S in IMMUNIS, but this piece shows exceptional eye appeal and preservation. It would be nearly impossible to find a better one. This is the sole example NGC has certified as MS-64 BN, making it their single finest certified. When this was certified as MS-64 BN by PCGS, it was one of four in that grade with a single MS-66 finer. Struck in large enough quantities to be collectible today, this type must have been intended as a profit-making enterprise, even though its designs recall the rare pattern pieces of 1785 and 1786. Most of these are seen very well worn, suggesting a long time in circulation, far beyond the Copper Panic of 1789 that booted lower-weight coppers from American pockets. Examples like this are lucky singletons, accidental survivors, and should be considered a centerpiece in a top-shelf collection of Confederation-era coppers. Provenance: From the Winslet Collection. Earlier from our (Bowers and Merena's) sale of the Eliasberg Collection, May 1996, lot 55. NGC Census: 1; 0 finer. PCGS# 841. NGC ID: BFJL. Click here for certification details from NGC. Click here to see Coins in Motion.

Estimate:$1

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