1784 Machin’s Mills Related Circulating Counterfeit, Vlack 14-84A, W8130, R5. From the Heritage sale of the Donald G. Partrick collection, sold on 03/17/21 as lot #15132, and described as: “1784 Counterfeit Halfpenny, VF35. Vlack 14-84A, W-8130. 1784 British Counterfeit Copper, Vlack 14-84A, W-8130, R.5, VF35 NGC. Jack Howes, Jim Rosen, and Gary Trudgen, authors of The History and Coinage of Machin's Mills, record this variety in a section of their book subtitled "A Guide to Imitation British Halfpence of Uncertain Origin." Robert A. Vlack included this variety on photo plates of Machin's Mills halfpence that he produced in 1974, thus its inclusion in the recently published history of the series. The variety is not the work of John Bailey, Samuel Atlee, Thomas Machin, or any other known artist. Areas of emerald patina are noted on the cedar-brown surfaces of this important evasion copper. A few vertical and diagonal lines are observed on the obverse. Listed on page 71 of the 2021 Guide Book. Ex: Robert A. Vlack (5/5/1975); Donald G. Partrick.” The coin sold for $2,280 in the Partick sale to CVM as NGC VF35, and I purchased the coin from Chris at EAC 2025 Pittsburgh on 05/17/25. I crossed the coin over from NGC VF35 to PCGS VF30, certification# 935.30/59849446 with “Machin’s Related, Vlack 14-84A, Partrick” listed on the new Gold Shield label. I suspect that this coin will not sell online because the photos make the coin look rougher and more mottled than it really is. In hand, it’s quite nice, one of the better examples for the variety, as evidenced by its place in the Partrick Collection. Current PCGS Price Guide is $4,500; my starting price is $3999.
