1788 New Jersey Copper. Maris 66-v, W-5505. Rarity-5+. Horse’s Head Right, Braided Mane. AU-50.，132.5 grains. This is essentially a twin to the Gordon Shaw specimen we sold in March 2017, mimicking its surface texture, color and condition census level sharpness, leaving open the tantalizing possibility that these two were found together many decades ago, probably lost when the coins were brilliant red Uncirculated! The surfaces are dark olive brown and exhibit uniform granularity and surface erosion that recall a life spent below ground. Well centered, though surface texture and the beveled rims seen on this die marriage have prevented the appearance of all but a few border dentils. Perhaps a hair sharper than the Shaw coin overall, the notable exception being the weaker plow handles of this coin. Here is a remarkable second opportunity within a calendar year to acquire an example of this rare die combination that offers condition census level sharpness and that was included in the collections of significant collectors of New Jersey Coppers like Richard Picker, Angel Pietri, and Syd Martin.<em>From the Syd Martin Collection. Earlier ex our (Stacks) sale of the Richard Picker Collection, October 1984, lot 242; our (Bowers and Merenas) sale of the Boyd, Brand and Ryder Collections, March 1990, lot 1118; Early American Numismatics Mail Bid Sale of May 24, 1991, lot 88; Angel Pietri Collection; our June 2011 Baltimore Auction, June 14, 2011, lot 217. </em>
