1787 Machin's Mills 1/2p, Vlack 19-87C, W-7940, GEORGIVS III, Group III, R2, PCGS EF45. From the Stacks Bowers sale of the Richard August collection, sold on 03/09/26 as lot #1454 and described as: “Choice 1787 Vlack 19-87C Halfpenny. HRT Plate Coin. 1787 Machin's Mills Halfpenny. Vlack 19-87C, W-7940. Rarity-2. GEORGIVS III, Group III. EF-45 (PCGS). 115.2 grains. A very pleasing example of this popular and prolific die marriage, used as the plate coin for the variety in both editions of The History and Coinage of Machin's Mills by Howes, Rosen, and Trudgen. Hard, glossy surfaces are chiefly medium brown, with some dark chocolate brown blended into the lower obverse. This coin's advanced die state leaves a substantial area of spalling below George's chin, a break on the stop after REX, and more spalling within the design of the cuirass. The obverse looks fatigued despite this being its only marriage, while the reverse looks fresh as a daisy despite being on marriage number two of seven (eight if you count a later marriage to Obverse 19, where this reverse does start to show its age). This piece likewise looks fresh, with only a little rim nick at the base of the obverse worth noting. The reverse is misaligned to the northwest, with some unstruck area visible at the southeast quadrant. This piece is about as choice as could be hoped for at this grade level. Though Howes, Rosen, and Trudgen offer a Condition Census of "EF-45 to MS-62," this piece is probably outside of the top six for the variety. Provenance: From the Richard August Collection.” Not perfect with the mottled color, but like Stacks’ said, “This piece is about as choice as could be hoped for at this grade level.” Plus it’s way-cool to own a plate coin in the HRT book! Richard graded this coin AU50 and valued it at $3,000. PCGS certification# 826959.45/50929700 with “Machin’s, Vlack 19-87C, Richard August Collection” on the label.
