1787 New Jersey copper. Maris 58-n. Rarity-5-. Camel Head. Overstruck on an off-center Connecticut copper. EF-45 (PCGS).137.5 grains. A fascinating piece, rich with eye appeal, superbly well-detailed, and struck over a Connecticut copper host that itself was struck nearly 50% off-center! Glossy medium brown with some lighter highlights, mostly smooth and positively beautiful. A thin striation from the base of the horsehead to R of CAESAREA turns into a larger lamination above that letter at the rim. A smaller lamination is noted below the plow handles, and a larger patch of natural planchet irregularity extends from the rim below E of E PLURIBUS to the left side of the shield. Both sides are pretty well centered, though the obverse shows broad denticles at the right and none at the left; the opposite is true on the reverse, with denticles at the left but none at the right. No significant post-striking flaws are present. Die State 2, with a horizontal obverse crack from 3:00 to center, but no evidence of the vertical bisector.<p>While most examples of Maris 58-n are overstruck, and Connecticut coppers seem to be the most common hosts, we cannot recall a major error Connecticut being turned into New Jersey planchet stock before. CO of CONNEC is visible at the horse’s mane and neck, along with the upper outline of the back of the portrait’s head. On the reverse, just a single out-of-place cinquefoil is noted in the field near the lower left border of the shield.<p>This is a genuinely scarce variety, but it is downright rare in this kind of quality. The seven-coin SHI Condition Census is composed of one EF+, three EFs, and three coins graded EF-. Just as the coin in the previous lot deserves a place among their number, so too does this choice and interesting specimen.From the E Pluribus Unum Collection of New Jersey Coppers.
