1787 COPPER New York Excelsior Copper, Eagle Left XF45 PCGS....

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$27,600.00 Bid Source: Live: Floor bidder

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Rare Choice XF 1787 Excelsior Copper
Eagle on Globe Left, Eagle Reverse

1787 COPPER New York Excelsior Copper, Eagle Left XF45 PCGS. Breen-980. A rare coin indeed, and one which any numismatist who appreciates our colonial history will covet. The Excelsior coppers have been punch linked to the Brasher gold Doubloons, another famous coin from New York. The dies for the copper coins were engraved by John Bailey. Perhaps two dozen are known, if that many, and all are highly desirable. These may have been patterns or trial pieces used to show the legislature in hopes of finding an alternative to the dreaded lightweight Birmingham coppers which were the only readily available coinage.
The obverse depicts Liberty and Justice, with the central device showing the sun rising over three mountains, sea in foreground, crest of eagle on demi-globe, below EXCELSIOR, 'More excellent, more noble'. On the reverse is a large eagle, with thirteen stars above, olive branch in right claw, arrows in left, motto E PLURIBUS UNUM surrounding, date 1787 below.
The surfaces on the obverse are very attractive, with light brown copper with darker accents highlighting the devices. On the reverse the color is similar, along with a thin layer of brick red patina over much of the protected areas in the fields. Identifiable by a couple of trivial nicks, one near the edge of the left wing on the reverse below IB of PLURIBUS, and a small almost vertical nick on the arrows just below the arrowheads. An historic coin that is very rarely offered and one of the most difficult Colonial issues to obtain. Listed on page 62 of the 2009 Guide Book. Population: 3 in 45, 2 finer (6/08).

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 2B3M, PCGS# 427, Greysheet# 214)

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