1786 New Jersey copper. Maris 21-P. Rarity-5. Narrow Shield, Curved Plow Beam. AU-58+ (PCGS).136.7 grains. An apparent new addition to the Condition Census, a list that is topped by the stunning Ford Gem and the David Spence coin, graded MS-64 BN (PCGS) that sold in our October 2018 Archangel sale for $33,600. In terms of color and centering, this is a near twin for the Spence-Archangel coin. It boasts similar smooth surfaces, immersed in choice gloss and hints of frosty luster. Some peeks of faded mint color cling closely to peripheral design elements. The strike is excellent, not quite enough to obliterate all of the natural planchet texture at absolute centers, but sufficient to give this coin superb detail. The obverse is aligned to near 2:00, the reverse is ideally centered. No marks of any significance are seen, just a little mahogany splash between E and the star that follows it on the reverse. The die state is late, Die State 3, with a muddled comma of a cud beneath E at 7:00 on the reverse. The obverse is bulged in the right field.<p>While there are a number of nice Maris 21-Ps, more than typical for a Rarity-5 variety, this is nicer than most of them. We like it as much or more than the lovely Boyd-Ford duplicate, and we liked that one a lot. It’s possible that only the two Uncirculated pieces are clearly superior to this one.From the E Pluribus Unum Collection of New Jersey Coppers
