1786 Copper Connecticut, Mailed Bust Left, Sword Hilt and Guard Reverse MS BN

142.9 grains. This variety is the unique Miller 5.11-S, the first new 1786 Connecticut copper variety discovered since 2008. The only known specimen is a pleasing VG coin with warmly toned olive and deep golden-brown surfaces. The overall appearance is quite smooth for the grade, although there are several shallow planchet fissures on both sides, the most noticeable of which is at the obverse border at 9 o'clock, another of some size on the reverse outside the seated figure's pole hand. These natural flan flaws are typical of all reverse S die marriages. A pronounced planchet cutter lip is at the upper left border, another feature that Randall P. Clark observes as common on varieties that employ the S reverse. Central detail is sufficiently bold for the grade, the peripheries weaker and quite soft overall due to advanced die state and strike. The sword hilt and guard on the reverse are clearly visible.

This variety pairs two previously known dies in the Connecticut copper series. Obverse 5.11 was previously known only in the 5.11-R pairing, while reverse S was previously known paired with obverses 4.2, 5.14, and 5.15. With four known pairings, reverse S is now tied with reverse G as the most prolific reverse among 1786 varieties. When this coin surfaced on the first day of the January 2023 FUN Convention, it became the first new 1786 variety discovered since 2008, when 4.1-H.2 was identified. Since there are now two specimens known for 4.1-H.2, 5.11-S is currently the only unique die pairing among 1786 Connecticut coppers.

Source: Stacks Bowers