1786 New Jersey Copper. Maris 21-N, W-4910. Rarity-3. Wide Shield. AU Details—Cleaned (PCGS).，152.9 grains. Both sides are light olive-brown and glossy with the reverse uniform in color. The obverse exhibits tinges of coppery-red toning that belie an age old cleaning that was evident even in Jenks day-the catalog of his collection describes the coins obverse as "dull red." The coin is nearly Mint State in terms of actual wear, the intricate, fine die marks seen only on very high grade colonial coppers are visible around and through the legends on both sides and around the plow on the obverse. Even signs of faint die clashing are visible at the reverse peripheries. The dentils are visible around the entire circumference of both sides, though cut a bit short at the left sides due to centering that pulls towards the left. This coin is tied for fifth position with four other "EF" coins in the Siboni/Howes/Ish condition census. One would wonder why Syd would want to let go of this attractive and well pedigreed piece until one sees that he upgraded to the Gem Red Unc that inhabits the top position of the census!，PCGS# 498. NGC ID: 2B4H.，，From the Syd Martin Collection. Earlier Ex Henry Chapmans sale of the John Story Jenks Collection, December 7, 1921, lot 5513; Hillyer Ryder Collection; F.C.C. Boyd Collection; our (Stacks) sale of the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, Part I, October 14, 2003, lot 107.
