1787 New Jersey copper. Maris 59-o. Rarity-5+. Sawtooth. Double Struck. AU-53 (PCGS).149.7 grains. The Spiro Collection is legendary for its breadth: over 200 lots and 109 discrete die marriages, with oddities and errors and Condition Census coins aplenty. The rare Sawtooth variety encapsulates this better than most. Spiro owned three of them, representing both known die states, a significant error coin, and all three of the coins currently ranked atop the Condition Census. This piece was the second of Spiro’s three, ranked second finest known by Siboni, Howes, and Ish, topped by only the AU that Bareford bought in the Spiro sale and which is now owned by Roger Siboni. This piece is on a broad planchet made broader by double striking, with the denticles on the right side of the obverse lined up in rows like the teeth on a shark. A similar effect is seen on the right side of the reverse, and PLURIBUS is thoroughly and obviously doubled as well. The surfaces are mostly glossy and smooth, rich chocolate brown with contrasting deep tan on design elements. The upper left obverse is somewhat rough and flawed, as struck. What may appear to be scratches near the plow handles are actually relics left by the second strike. The obverse is swollen at the rim at 3:00 but not yet broken; the reverse shows some swelling on the left side of the shield but no breaks. Die State 1.<p>This is a rare variety that almost never comes in high grade. Outside of the three Spiro coins ranked AU-EF-EF in the top three slots of the SHI Condition Census, a single EF- coin is listed, followed by five VF+ pieces. Its distinctiveness and charisma make it a variety every New Jersey enthusiast wants to own, but most end up with a piece that is rough, well worn, badly flawed, or lacking in detail. The planchet quality tends to be abysmal, and the collapse of the dies ensures that only a fraction of the survivors show good central detail. This example is blessed with a nice planchet and crisp dies; those characteristics combined with its lack of heavy wear make it one of the very finest survivors known.From the E Pluribus Unum Collection of New Jersey Coppers. Earlier from Hans Schulmans sale of the Jacob N. Spiro Collection, March 1955, lot 1582; Willard C. Blaisdell Collection; William Anton Collection; E Pluribus Unum Collection, via Larry Stack.
