 1787 Massachusetts Cent. Transposed Arrows. Ryder 2a-F. Rarity-6+. 144.1 grains. About Good to Good. The variety with the arrows in the eagle's right talons (the viewer's left) rather than in the eagle's left talons. The devices are fully present, and the all-important transposition of the arrows and olive branch is clearly visible on this well worn specimen. Central devices display better than Good detail, but the peripheral legends and date are weak to nonexistant due to wear and also to a slight wave at the left side of the obverse and reverse. Chocolate brown surfaces are generally smooth and attractive, with a modicum of surface marks expected from advanced circulation.
The Transposed Arrows variety has always been coveted by collectors of Massachusetts Coppers as well as Colonial type collectors in general. Within the last five years, Stack's has had the good fortune of offering three different specimens, including the present coin. Here is a quick roster of Transposed Arrows Cents: 1) Robison: 103; 2) Brand II:960; 3) Garrett:582; 4) the Newman coin; 5) Oechsner:1011; 6) Picker:136; 7) ANS; 8) the Crosby Plate coin; 9) Stack's Essex Institute Sale, February 1975:39; 10) Historic American Classics, June 1989: 721 (this coin); 11) Stack's March 2001:36, 12) Ford, Part 5:85; 13) a Gem mate to the Ford specimen, also ex Europe; 14) Kensington Collection (Bowers & Ruddy, December 1975, lot 235). We have reports of others but have not been able to determine if they are duplicates of the above.
Ex Historic American Classics auction of June 1989, lot 721. This coin was cherrypicked by an astute collector at a flea market, sold by the dealer for $1.50 in a holder marked, incredibly, ''Mass. cent 1788?'' Thanks to Massachusetts Coppers maven Mike Packard for his information on extant Transposed Arrows Cents.
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