Connecticut Coppers from the Partrick Collection Being Sold

More than 500 Connecticut Coppers certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation® (NGC®) from the Donald G. Partrick Collection are being offered for sale, representing an outstanding opportunity for collectors of post-Colonial US coinage. Bidding is now under way in a Heritage Auctions sale containing nearly all of them, with the auction scheduled to conclude on November 1, 2020.

One phenomenal example is being held for a Platinum Sale in January: a 1787 Figure Right Connecticut Copper graded NGC VF 20 BN. It is pedigreed to the Norweb Collection and attributed by its catalog number: Miller 1.4-WW. The reverse die is unique because it shows the figure facing to the right. The only other known example, pedigreed to the Newman Collection and graded NGC F 12, realized $164,500 at a Heritage sale in May 2014.

1787 Figure Right Connecticut Copper graded NGC VF 20 BN. Click images to enlarge

Connecticut Coppers (called “coppers” because they are not denominated) were struck from 1785 to 1789 under contract from the State of Connecticut. They were modeled on the British halfpence then in circulation, but say “AUCTORI CONNEC” (Latin for “Authority of Connecticut”) on the obverse and “INDE ET LIB” (Latin for “Independence and Liberty”) on the reverse.

Dozens of different dies were used to strike these coins, which results in a number of interesting styles. Henry Miller first attempted to catalog all of the varieties in 1920, and today Connecticut Coppers are attributed by “Miller” numbers.

The November sale features an exceptionally rare 1786 Large Head Right Connecticut Copper (Miller 2.3-T) graded NGC F 15 BN. It was once part of Miller’s own collection as well as those of Ford and Betts.

1786 Large Head Right Connecticut Copper (Miller 2.3-T) graded NGC F 15 BN. Click images to enlarge

Another highlight is a 1785 Bust Right Connecticut Copper (Miller 6.3-G.1) graded NGC MS 63 BN and pedigreed to the Dr. Thomas Hall Collection — one of the highest grades for any Partrick Connecticut Copper. The Partrick Collection includes 67 examples that are pedigreed to Dr. Hall, a pioneering student of the Connecticut series. Although Connecticut Coppers are usually seen in circulated grades, the Partrick Collection boasts 84 uncirculated specimens from a total of 102 Mint State Connecticut Coppers that NGC has certified.

1785 Bust Right Connecticut Copper (Miller 6.3-G.1) graded NGC MS 63 BN. Click images to enlarge

Altogether, the offerings include a remarkable 307 varieties out of the approximately 360 varieties known. This represents an incredible feat given that many varieties are extremely rare or unique. Also, the relatively crude manufacture of these coins coupled with the extensive circulation that they enjoyed makes collecting by Miller variety an extremely challenging endeavor.

To assemble his collection, Partrick acquired examples from many notable collectors over a period of several decades. Pedigrees to Garrett, Norweb, Ford, Boyd, Hanson, Oechsner, Taylor, Hall and others are encountered with regularity in the Partrick Collection.

“Donald G. Partrick’s collection of Connecticut Coppers shows his extraordinary dedication and passion. The assemblage of such a phenomenal set — one with so many fantastic rarities — requires a lifetime of intense focus,” commented Mark Salzberg. “We are delighted that NGC was chosen to certify selections from the Donald G. Partrick Collection.”

“NGC is well-known for its expertise with US coins, especially ones from this particularly challenging era,” said Jim Halperin, Co-Chairman of Heritage Auctions. “The complexity of this collection made NGC the obvious choice for authentication and attribution.”

The first part of the Partrick Collection, which is entirely graded by NGC, sold for nearly $26 million at Heritage Auctions’ January 2015 FUN Show sale. More rarities, including a pair of Brasher Doubloons, are expected to add millions more to that total as the remainder of the Partrick Collection is sold over the next few months. The Connecticut Coppers sale is the first from this new group. See the entire schedule at HA.com/Partrick

NGC has added the Partrick Connecticut Coppers to its online image gallery of the collection. To view the gallery, visit NGCcoin.com/Partrick.

Other highlights in the November sale include:

• a 1786 Mailed Bust Left Connecticut Copper (Miller 5.8-F) graded NGC MS 61 BN and pedigreed to the Hall Collection
• a 1787 Laughing Head Connecticut Copper (Miller 6.1-M) graded NGC MS 64★ BN
• a 1787 Mailed Bust Left Connecticut Copper (Miller 8-a.1) graded NGC F 12 BN and pedigreed to the Taylor Collection
• a 1787 Draped Bust Left Connecticut Copper (Miller 16.2-NN.2) graded NGC XF 40 BN and pedigreed to the Hanson Collection
• a 1787 Draped Bust Left Connecticut Copper (Miller 32.2-X.4) graded NGC MS 62 RB and pedigreed to the Hanson Collection
• a 1787 Draped Bust Left Connecticut Copper (Miller 33.36-T.3) graded NGC XF 40 BN and pedigreed to the Taylor Collection
• a 1787 Draped Bust Left Connecticut Copper (Miller 37.6-B) graded NGC AU 53 BN and pedigreed to the Hall Collection
• a 1787 "CONNFC" Connecticut Copper (Miller M 43.1-Y) graded NGC Mint Error MS 62 BN, with a Double Struck error and pedigreed to the Oechsner Collection
• a 1788 Mailed Bust Right Connecticut Copper (Miller 3-B.1) graded NGC MS 64 BN and pedigreed to the Oechsner Collection
• a 1788 Mailed Bust Left Connecticut Copper (Miller 8-K) graded NGC XF 40 BN and pedigreed to the Taylor Collection

Related articles

• NGC Certifies Two Brasher Doubloons and Other Extreme Rarities from the Partrick Collection
• NGC Releases Updated Image Gallery and Video for the Partrick Collection