Lot 53
1788 Massachusetts Cent. Period after "Massachusetts". PCGS graded AU-55. Delightful comes to mind when examining this piece, the surfaces are quite clean for the grade, and more importantly, the copper has not deteriorated with the usual problems. One notes minor streaks in the planchet from the rolling process, and a single very small red speck on the Indian's left arm near the his shoulder. A minute tick mark in the field below the H of WEALTH will serve to identify this coin, and there is a similar tiny one between TS on the reverse. Medium brown in color and decidedly choice in every way.
Massachusetts copper coins were amongst the best made of the circulating colonial coins. In fact, once the careful production costs were examined, it was discovered that each coin cost twice its face value to produce! Hence, the more that were produced, the greater the loss. Production ceased with this revelation. Note that Massachusetts coinage included the first usage of the word "CENT" to define a copper coin of this size.
Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,500.
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| Realized $1,438 |
