April 25, 2011: "PCGS Population = 1"

Author:
D. Wnuck

Concept:
Through the years we’ve handled some rare stuff, but in nearly all of those cases, there were at least a few other slabbed examples floating around the market. But in this instance, there isn’t.

Which is not to say that this particular 1788 copper with a Connecticut obverse muled to a Vermont reverse is unique. it isn’t. But most of the known pieces are pretty rough, or corroded, or have enough problems that PCGS hasn’t graded any of them. Which to us is a very interesting thing.

Captions that didn’t make the cut:
We initially were going to describe this piece as a "3 Coins in One: 1.) Struck in New York; 2.) Obverse of a Connecticut; (3.) Reverse of a Vermont." And while that would indicate why this is such a cool item, we thought the the PCGS pop story would attract more attention among the mainstream CoinWorld crowd.

And might then invite a conversation at which time we could unleash the ‘3 coins in one’ story.

So that’s what we did.