1786 New Jersey copper. Maris 17-b. Rarity-3. Small planchet. PLUKIBUS. EF-45 (PCGS).156.9 grains. 27.8 mm. Glossy dark chocolate brown with lighter brown devices. A handsome and high grade copper, struck from the late state of these dies, Die State 2, with the PLUKIBUS characteristic easily seen. If a Maris 17-b is not overstruck, it tends to be struck on a tight virgin planchet like this one. The Small Planchet Maris 17-b population seems heavily weighted to well worn coins, and most (all?) are struck from a very late state of the dies. Somewhat complicating the study of these pieces is the existence of a cast counterfeit of the late die state Small Planchet Maris 17-b, made contemporarily from circulation. These early casts can closely resemble the authentic struck pieces when well worn, and a fair number have passed as authentic examples over the years.<p>This one is unquestionably authentic, with smooth glossy surfaces and sharp devices. The obverse is injured and bowed from left of the date to EA of CAESAREA. The horsehead is bold and the shield is exactingly well detailed. A very light rim bruise above the space between the S of PLURIBUS and the star that follows is noted, but the surfaces are otherwise exceptionally choice, showing just some scattered natural pits and flecks. Siboni, Howes, and Ish note “due to the difficulty of grading, no condition census has been provided here for the small planchet 17-b. The authors believe that a condition census specific to the small planchet/late die state 17-b subvariety is necessary.” Suffice it to say this is one of the best we’ve seen, comparing favorably with the Siboni, Howes, and Ish plate coin photographed on page 223. These small planchet Maris 17-b coppers are distinctive enough from their overstruck large planchet brethren that they should be considered different subvarieties entirely, similar to the thick and thin planchet half cents of 1795.From the E Pluribus Unum Collection of New Jersey Coppers.
