1778 Machin's Mills 1/2p Vlack 12-78B W7830 PCGS EF40 Richard August R3

1778 Machin's Mills 1/2p, Vlack 12-78B, W-7830, GEORGIVS III, Group III, R3, PCGS EF40.  From the Stacks Bowers sale of the Richard August collection, sold on 03/09/26 as lot #1440 and described as: “1778 Machin's Mills Halfpenny. Vlack 12-78B, W-7830. Rarity-3. GEORGIVS III, Group III. EF-40 (PCGS).  94.6 grains. Glossy chocolate brown with a very sharp strike and excellent visual appeal. Scattered planchet striations are present, mostly at the right side of the obverse, less so at the right side of the reverse. A few minor marks are seen, including two under E of GEORGIVS, but none affect the excellent aesthetic impression. This piece is a later die state that usually seen, with a die crack connecting the first N of BRITANNIA to the pole hand across Britannia's chin. The die clashes have mostly been lapped away, but the swollen knob below Britannia's spring arm is larger than in earlier states. An interesting and very attractive coin, with color and surface that are a step up from most in this grade range.  Provenance: From the Richard August Collection.”  A glossy and attractive example of the type, with sharp EF40+ details that are bold and even on both sides, and minor defects that are certainly exaggerated in the enlarged photos yet quite inoffensive in hand.  PCGS Price Guide at the time of this writing is $1,350, but due to the nice quality and pedigree, my starting price is about 10% higher.  Richard valued this coin at $3,000.  PCGS certification# 826953.40/50929679 with “Machin’s, Vlack 12-78B, Richard August Collection” on the label.