1787 New Jersey copper. Maris 56-n. Rarity-1. Camel Head. Overstruck on 1783 Nova Constellatio copper, Blunt Rays, Crosby 3-C. VF-30 (PCGS).100.4 grains. Mossman’s Table 29, an extensive inventory of undertypes found on New Jersey coppers, suggests the remarkable effort Dr. Mossman put into compiling his data. He identified exactly two specimens of Maris 56-n struck over Nova Constellatio coppers: one in a 1978 Bowers and Ruddy sale, the other in an obscure 1983 Melnick auction that contained exactly 45 lots of colonial coins. As it turns out, this is that coin, illustrated by Melnick and headlined as “THE RISING CAMEL!” It was described therein as “Overstruck on a 1783 Broad Rays Nova Constellatio piece, with the entire area above the plow filled with a fan of the rays, the eye of the ‘camel head’ still sharp between two of the rays, ‘US,’ parts of wreath, and even the date visible on reverse. One edge bruise, apparently where the piece was dropped on a hard surface. Deep brown toning, a pleasing and unusual piece.” It’s an eye catching effect, despite the fine even granularity of the surfaces. The rim bruise in the lower right quadrant of the reverse is the only notable post-striking defect. The reverse is rotated a bit clockwise from proper coin turn, unusual for the variety. This is an undertype missing from the vast majority of collections of overstruck Camel Heads.From the E Pluribus Unum Collection of New Jersey Coppers. Earlier, from Herbert I. Melnick Inc.’s New York Collection sale, July 1983, lot 595.
