1787 New Jersey Copper. Maris 83-ii, W-5445. Rarity-7-. Hourglass Muzzle. VF Details--Environmental Damage (PCGS).
102.3 grains. A charcoal gray ground patina of moderate roughness does not significantly limit this piece's superb sharpness among the known examples of this variety. The obverse is aligned notably left, losing N of NOVA and the first date digit. The reverse is better centered, but PLURI is not well defined. The rim is crude above EA of CAESAREA, as struck, but no significant post striking defects are present aside from the surface corrosion. The eye appeal actually isn't bad for one of these. This is unquestionably the most charmingly crude of all the Maris varieties. Maris didn't list this in Coins of New Jersey, nor did he depict it on the plate, but he did end up with one before 1886 and cataloged it in the sale of his collection. Enough specimens have been found in recent years to drop this variety to low Rarity-7, but none of the known examples are particularly nice. Four coins graded Fine top the SHI Condition Census: the Taylor-O'Donnell-Ish coin, the Maris-Garrett coin in the Anton Collection, the impounded Canfield-NJHS coin, and the EPU specimen struck over a 1783 Nova Constellatio that brought $22,800 in November 2019. Two VGs follow, and three lower grade pieces called AG round out the nine examples known to Siboni, Howes, and Ish. Among the AGs was the Martin piece, sold in our August 2022 sale as PCGS Good Details--Damage, bringing $5,280. Circulating counterfeits have a panache all their own. Produced with the sole objective of making a fractional profit on a coin worth one copper, this and other counterfeits represent the most common and desirable types in everyday circulation. In an odd way, the number of circulating die-struck New Jersey counterfeit types made is a backhanded compliment to the series, a statement that underscores their important role in pockets of the era.
PCGS# 756010.
From the E Pluribus Unum Collection.

Estimate: $10000