1787 New Jersey copper. Maris 33-U. Rarity-4. Outlined Shield. AU-50 (PCGS).141.0 grains. A really spectacular example of this die variety, with enviably choice, smooth, glossy surfaces. The toning is mostly dark chocolate brown, a beautiful and ideal shade, a bit darker around the plow and lower right obverse. Hints of mint frost persist around the peripheral legends, especially on the reverse. The centering is nearly perfect on both sides, though the denticles in the lower right obverse are a bit longer than elsewhere. A little bit of remaining planchet texture is seen in confined areas near absolute centers, below the obverse scroll and at the center of the shield, but the strike is mostly very bold. A single short old scratch underlines SA of CAESAREA, and a pinpoint nick is present at the left foot of N in NOVA, but this piece is as problem-free as can reasonably be hoped for. It is a beautiful coin. Early die state with perfect obverse and reverse dies, Die State 1, preceding the marriage of Reverse U with Obverse 15 and the later remarriages with both Obverse 33 and Obverse 15.<p>This is a Condition Census specimen, though not specifically cited in the Siboni, Howes, and Ish listing. The best coin there is an unverified AU in the Anton Collection, which is followed by the Maris-Garrett EF+, three EFs, and three VF+ coins. The Minot coin (fifth) and the Boyd-Ford coin (seventh) are both lovely, and arguably both of them were nicer than they were cataloged in 2008 and 2003, respectively; neither is as high grade as this one. The two Maris-Garrett coins (ranked second and third) have been off the market since they sold in 1980, but this coin looks nicer than at least one of them. The coin ranked fourth on the SHI Condition Census is in the ANS, permanently off the market. This coin is certainly among the top three or four, and it may well be one of the two best. Its discovery will be welcomed by specialists, especially those who have been filling a spot in their holdings with a typical F-VF specimen of this scarce variety.From the E Pluribus Unum Collection of New Jersey Coppers.
