 1788 Massachusetts cent. R-2B. Rarity-4. EF-40. 155.9 grains. Attractive medium brown with olive undertones on finely granular surfaces. A linear planchet flaw descends from near 3:00 to near 6:00 on reverse, tiny rim nick left of date, scratch from wingtip to second T of MASSACHUSETTS, another short scratch below arrows, very tiny rim nicks over first M and W of COMMONWEALTH. An appealing, lightly circulated piece, attractive in hand and boasting good sharpness, offered with an extremely good provenance to the man who lent his name to the varieties of this important early American series.
From Lyman Low's 146th Sale, January 1910, Lot 78; Hillyer Ryder to F.C.C. Boyd; Stacks' sale of the John J. Ford Jr., Collection Part 5, October 2004, Lot 119. The original Ford lot ticket and Ryder's delicate paper ticket are included.
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