1788 Vermont Post-Colonial 1/2 Pence Issue, Bust Right RR-23 PCGS Genuine

Key market data for RR-23

RR-23 is also a Rarity-4 variety (same rarity tier as RR-17). Recent public sales include:

• PCGS MS-63 BN: $66,000 (Sydney F. Martin Collection, Stack’s Bowers, Aug 2023) — the finest known (ex-Garrett), with some original red.
• PCGS AU-55: $5,280 (Richard August Collection, Stack’s Bowers, Nov 2025) — the Carlotto plate coin and among the finest known.
• PCGS EF-40: $1,220 (Stack’s Bowers, June 2026).
• PCGS Fine-12: $576 (Nov 2024).
• Older raw/graded VF-20 examples: around $400 (2013).
• EF Details–Environmental Damage and lower-grade problem coins have appeared in the low-to-mid hundreds in recent sales.

High-end examples of RR-23 have performed strongly (especially the MS-63 and AU-55), while mid-grade problem-free coins trade in a range similar to or a bit above comparable RR-17s. Generic 1788 Bust Right PCGS Price Guide values (PCGS #563) are around $600 for VF-20.⁠Pcgs

Adjustment for PCGS Genuine VF Detail

As with the RR-17, the “Genuine VF Detail” designation means a problem (common ones on these Vermont coppers include environmental damage/corrosion, cleaning, scratches, porosity, or planchet issues) that blocks a numeric grade. Expect a significant discount to problem-free VF coins of the same variety—typically landing at roughly 40–70% of the problem-free mid-grade market, modulated by how severe the problem is and how attractive the coin remains.

• Wholesale (dealer levels or typical auction hammer for an average example): more likely $350–$600.
• Retail (collector/dealer asking price or strong result for a decent-looking piece): more likely $500–$800.