1788 VT 1/2P Georgivs III Rex, BN (Regular Strike)

P. Scott Rubin: The 1788 Vermont Georgivs III Bust Right Copper is a very scarce coin that was obviously made in the Machin Mills mint by Vermont-authorized minter Thomas Machin. This variety is known to Vermont specialists as RR-31 or Bressett 24-U. The obverse of this variety reads GEORGIVS III REX, rather than the appropriate motto VERMON AUCTORI. The punch used for the head of George III is the same punch used to create VERMON AUCTORI worded Vermont issues. The reverse die known as Bressett U was used to create four other Vermont Coppers: RR-25, RR-28, RR-29 and RR-39.

The obverse die is in ways a companion piece to RR-13, also known as Bressett 17-V or the Brittania reverse. In the case of Ryder 13, the obverse die contains the normal Vermont legend of VERMON AUCTORI, while the reverse legend is BRITANNIA. Thus, we have two coins in the Vermont series where half the coin matches a British Halfpenny. Were the RR-13 and R-31 joined together, they would make one whole Vermont Copper and one whole British Halfpenny.