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1/2 Penny - Copper 'African Head'
| Issuer | Connecticut |
|---|---|
| Year | 1785 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
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| Obverse description | Draped bust of a laureate figure facing right, known in collector tradition as the 'African Head' type, characterized by distinctive facial features and a wreath of leaves adorning the hair. The bust is rendered in a bold, somewhat crude style typical of early American state coinage. The legend AUCTORI: CONNEC arcs around the periphery, with AUCTORI to the left and CONNEC to the right of the effigy. |
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| Reverse script | Latin |
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| Additional information |
Connecticut began authorizing private minting contracts in 1785 before the state legislature had finalized any design standards, which is why the early issues from this period show remarkable variety. The so-called 'African Head' designation refers to a specific obverse die group distinguished by contemporaries and later scholars alike — it is a collector classification, not an official mint designation.
The coins were struck under contract by private entrepreneurs, not a state-operated facility. Miller and Maris attributions for Connecticut coppers remain the working reference system; PCGS#319 places this piece within that die-marriage framework.