1786 New Jersey copper. Maris 23 1/2-R. Rarity-8. Narrow Shield, Curved Plow Beam. Fine-15 (PCGS).108.3 grains. This variety has been sold at auction exactly three times in history, including one appearance of each of the known specimens. Our firm, and our predecessor firms of Stack’s and Bowers and Merena, have been responsible for all three. We last sold this example in 1987, when Michael Hodder described it as follows: “Smooth, dark brown fields; pale golden brown high points. Pronounced obverse die swelling, probably accounting for the rarity of the variety. Perfectly centered reverse, obverse slightly off center to the upper right, affecting only the denticles there. Obverse center weak, due to planchet shape. Apart from the central weakness, all other portions of the design well struck up. Center of reverse shield flawed, as struck. A tiny lamination on reverse above third star.” The softness of the obverse strike, an issue related to the failing of the die, left some inherent planchet striations visible after striking; the same issue is responsible for the flaws at central reverse. In terms of post-striking flaws, we are hard pressed to identify any. The die rotation is essentially perfect medal turn, the same as the Boyd-Ford specimen of this variety.<p>There is no arguing the Condition Census ranking of the three examples known. The Boyd-Ford coin, now in the Anton Collection, is unquestionably the best. Your cataloger’s notes from 2003 note its “good dark brown color,” fairly smooth surfaces, and the few minor scratches and natural striations that make it easily identifiable. Its sharpness is a bit better than this coin. The third ranked coin, sold in our Ted Craige Estate sale of January 2013, is rough to the point of looking cratered, but it remains solidly attributable. This one easily nestles between these two others with its even wear and excellent visual appeal.<p>As described in our discussion of Maris 21-1/2-R, the two varieties have a close kinship and somewhat bridge the gap between the No Coulters and the With Coulter dies that follow. These obverses were clearly executed by the same hand, as they share every stylistic hallmark. The fact that both failed quickly from inherent problems that befell the dies during the hardening process suggests they may have been produced in a similar timeframe as well (a concept that their marriage to the same reverse also suggests).<p>This variety was discovered by Dr. Thomas Hall 14 years after Dr. Maris published, but the Quaker Doctor was still invited to give the new obverse its identifying nomenclature. Since Dr. Hall and Dr. Maris confirmed that piece’s status as new, only two additional examples have been confirmed. This one has been off the market for more than three decades.From the E Pluribus Unum Collection of New Jersey Coppers. Earlier, from Richard Picker to Mrs. Emery May Norweb on October 2, 1956; Bowers and Merena’s sale of the Norweb Collection, Part I, October 1987, lot 1335; William Anton Collection; E Pluribus Unum Collection, via Larry Stack.
