1786 New Jersey copper. Maris 21-R. Rarity-7-. Narrow Shield, Curved Plow Beam. F-12 (PCGS).143.8 grains. A new discovery for this rare variety, apparently the 12th known example. The SHI Condition Census of this rarity lists 11 known specimens, ranging from the “VF-“ Boyd-Ford-Patrick coin at the top end to a pair of “About G-“ specimens at the bottom. This piece is similar in quality to the Maris-Garrett-Picker specimen, ranked second finest, and may be similar to the F+ specimens in the Dick August and New Jersey Historical Society collections. The surfaces are dark brown with attractive lighter brown contrasting tone on devices and legends. The surfaces are finely and evenly granular but maintain good gloss and eye appeal. Some old toned pinscratches cross the base of the horsehead device and the snout, and an old pit is noted between BU of PLURIBUS. The centering is nearly ideal on both sides, and the strike is even. There is no detail within the shield (typical of worn specimens of this variety) and the die state is perfect, as usual. The die rotation is a few degrees clockwise of standard coin turn.<p>This variety, a marriage of known dies, was discovered sometime between 1881 and 1886, making it a Maris-unlisted variety that Maris actually owned and offered in the 1886 sale of his collection. With the addition of this piece to the 11 enumerated by Siboni, Howes, and Ish, it means the bottom limit of the Rarity-7 category. The next Maris 21-R to be discovered will make this variety Rarity-6+. However, if the most recently discovered specimens are a guide, the next discovery is unlikely to be as nice as this coin; the last two coins include a piece with a large square hole and another described as looking like it had “been underground for a long time with considerable corrosion on both sides.” The last two discoveries rank 11th and 12th among the 12 known.From the E Pluribus Unum Collection of New Jersey Coppers.
