1786 New Jersey Copper. Maris 16-J, W-4835. Rarity-5+. Straight Plow Beam, Protruding Tongue. VF-35 (PCGS). 143.5 grains. A really beautiful example of a variety rarely found nice, nearly the equal of the EF-40 (PCGS) coin in the November 2019 EPU offering that brought $15,600. That example was ranked second finest known, trailing the only known Unc, and surely this piece isnt terribly far behind. The Partrick coin, ex Spiro-Oechsner, is ranked seventh best in the SHI Census, though graded VF-20 (NGC). The Ford specimen, sold as "about Very Fine" but carried in the SHI census as VF, is ranked fifth best. None of the other comparable specimens have sold in recent years. The Martin coin was a VG Details piece with damage.<p><p>This examples superb light to medium brown color, glossy surfaces, and attractive woodgraining mark it as one of the better VFs that survive. The obverse is not perfectly smooth, showing a bit of an orange peel texture under a glass, but the centering is close to ideal and no significant issues are seen. A trivial lamination striation is seen below the horsehead. The reverse is similarly choice, with just some minor verdigris within the shield lines and a peripheral planchet striation of the sort often seen on coins from the J reverse. The die rotation is a bit counterclockwise from proper coin turn. There is no protruding tongue visible in this early obverse die state, while the reverse is in its typical Die State 2.<p><p>Those collectors who chased the 2019 EPU coin will see a lot to like in this one. It deserves a place in the Condition Census. PCGS# 766284. From the E Pluribus Unum Collection. Earlier said to be from Thomas Elders sale of November 1929, lot 348 ("Fine, brown. Rare.")
