1785 CT 1/2P Bust Right - African Head Half Penny

Coin Details

Auction Record

$14,400 • AU55 • 01-2020 • Heritage Auctions

Description

Cataloged as Miller 4.1-F.4, Whitman 2350, and PCGS #319, the 1785 Connecticut "African Head" halfpenny derives its memorable nickname from the distinctive facial features of the bust-right portrait on the obverse, which collectors have long described as having an African physiognomy rather than the European classical features typically seen on colonial copper portraits. Whether this was an intentional artistic choice, a consequence of the die sinker's individual style, or simply the result of crude die cutting remains a matter of numismatic debate. Struck in copper, weighing 6.2 grams with a 28.5 mm diameter and plain edge, the African Head variety is one of the most popular Connecticut copper varieties among collectors, commanding premium prices driven by its distinctive appearance and colorful name. An auction record of $14,400 for an AU55 example at Heritage Auctions in January 2020 illustrates the strong collector demand. Connecticut authorized copper coinage in October 1785, and various contractors produced the coins using a proliferating number of dies that generated an extraordinary range of portrait styles — from competent to crude, classical to caricature. The Miller catalog reference system classifies the African Head under its specific die combination (obverse 4.1, reverse F.4), situating it within the broader framework of over 350 known Connecticut copper die varieties spanning the 1785-1788 production period.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. The African Head variety is one of the most popular Connecticut copper varieties among collectors.

Cross References

Miller 4.1-F.4; Whitman 2350