1787 CT 1/2P Draped Bust Left - ETLIR Half Penny

Coin Details

Description

Among the most celebrated legend blunders in the Connecticut copper series, this 1787 half penny bears the garbled reverse inscription ETLIR in place of the intended ET LIB (short for ET LIBERTATEM, "and Liberty"). Cataloged as Miller 33.10-Z.16 and Whitman 3000, the ETLIR error arose from the die sinker's misarrangement of letter punches when preparing the reverse die — a mistake that was either unnoticed or deemed acceptable for a coinage operating under limited quality controls at the private minting facilities contracted by the State of Connecticut. The obverse displays a draped bust facing left, one of several portrait styles employed across the extensive Connecticut copper series produced under authority of the state legislature's October 1785 act granting coinage rights to Samuel Bishop, Joseph Hopkins, James Hillhouse, and John Goodrich. Struck in copper, the coin weighs approximately 6.8 grams with a 28.5 mm diameter and plain edge, consistent with the halfpenny denomination standard adopted by Connecticut's coinage contractors. Cataloged as PCGS #391. The rarity notes classify this as a scarce legend error variety, placing it among the more desirable Connecticut coppers for collectors who specialize in the diverse blundered legends that characterize this series — errors ranging from minor letter transpositions to completely nonsensical inscriptions that document the hasty, profit-driven production methods of the 1780s contract coiners.

Rarity Notes

Scarce legend error variety.

Cross References

Miller 33.10-Z.16; Whitman 3000