1786 New Jersey copper. Maris 17-J. Rarity-4. Straight Plow Beam. Overstruck on a 1787 Connecticut copper. EF-45+ (PCGS).138.8 grains. A particularly handsome specimen of this popular and distinctive variety, overstruck on the typical planchet stock of this die marriage: a 1787 Connecticut copper. The surfaces are ideal light brown, hard, glossy, and attractive. The strike is well centered, aligned trivially to 12:00 on the obverse and 8:00 on the reverse. The die rotation is just a bit left of proper coin turn. The undertype is aligned obverse to obverse with perfect centering, but upside down: the 1787 date is visible above US of PLURIBUS on the reverse, much of AUCTORI CONNEC is seen on the obverse, and the Connecticut’s reverse legends somewhat jumble the overstrike reverse. The strike is positively exceptional, with a high relief horsehead that shows good eye detail but also a well struck reverse with absolutely complete shield definition. Even the reverse centering dot is visible. The die state is early and crisp, and only the most trivial marks are present. The SHI Condition Census includes three EFs and six VFs, so it’s unimaginable this piece wouldn’t be worthy of listing. This is a very choice example, one for the quality connoisseurs.<p>Perhaps this goes without saying, considering that this 1786-dated New Jersey copper is struck on an undertype dated 1787, but not all New Jerseys were struck in the year indicated on the die. Indeed, little regard was given to the dies as long as an obverse was matched to a reverse.From the E Pluribus Unum Collection of New Jersey Coppers.
