1787 Connecticut Copper 1/2p M33.19-Z.2 W3650 R5 Draped Bust Left PCGS EF40

From the 08/20/24 Stacks Bowers auction, lot #7188, described as: “1787 Connecticut Copper. Miller 33.19-Z.2, W-3650. Rarity-5. Draped Bust Left. EF-40 (PCGS).  142.5 grains. Pale mahogany and chestnut brown on the obverse while the reverse is a bit more olive and more uniform. A few small lamination flaws on both sides, but they are shallow and not terribly bothersome. Softly struck in the centers with a bit of natural planchet texture remaining. Well centered with good peripheral detail. Late state of the reverse with the die nearly bisected by a break from the rim at 12 o'clock that extends to the exergue, or nearly so.  Provenance: From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Edgewood Coin Shop at the Baltimore Show, November 2012.”  I also found a prior Bowers and Merena APR from 01/04/11, lot #69, where this same coin was described as: “1787 Connecticut Copper. Draped Bust Facing Left. W-3650, Miller 33.19-Z.2. URS-7. EF-40 (PCGS).  Handsome medium-brown surfaces are originally preserved and suitably bold in overall definition. A few thin, shallow planchet flaws are as struck, and neither side reveals any worrisome post-production detractions. For the grade, an appealing example of both the type and the die marriage.”  Back in that 2011 B&M auction, this coin realized $575, but it brought just $385 in the Stacks 2024 auction, where it sold to Kevin Vinton.  I purchased the coin from Kevin on 12/14/24.  PCGS XF40 DB Left Miller 33.19-Z.2, Sydney F. Martin Collection, certification #685144.40/18426784.  The current PCGS Price Guide says $650 for a generic variety, but this is a tough R5 variety with an impressive pedigree, so it is priced accordingly.