1787 New Jersey copper. Maris 30-L. Rarity-4. Outlined Shield. EF-45 (PCGS).142.6 grains. Medium brown and mahogany, with some color apparently faded from mint red. Finely granular with a matte-like appearance, but exceptionally well detailed and very attractive. Denticles frame the base and left side of the fairly well-centered obverse, and they are nearly complete around the ideally centered reverse. The base of the obverse and top right of the reverse show many light natural striations, and the area around the base of the shield shows a hint of shallow surface scale. What this coin does not show is more important however: any significant level of wear. Though this is Die State 2, with a diagonal crease of die swelling from below the plow handles to the center of the obverse, there is no significant loss of detail just because the coin is so high grade. The SHI Condition Census is populated by four AUs and two upper level EFs. This is certainly less worn than some of them and deserves consideration in comparison to them. This may be the unverified AU said to be in the Anton Collection, listed second in the census.From the E Pluribus Unum Collection of New Jersey Coppers.
