1787 New Jersey copper. Maris 73-aa. Rarity-4. Plaited Mane. Overstruck on 1788 Vermont copper, RR-16. AU-53 (PCGS).101.9 grains. An absolutely spectacular example of this elusive and popular die variety. Highly glossy and smooth chocolate brown with positively beautiful surfaces. Both sides show a chaotic mélange of devices, with obverse legends reading AUCTORI CAESAREA and the reverse periphery reading ET LIB S UNUM. The 1788 date of the Vermont undertype is perfectly clear at 12:00 on the reverse. The horsehead and shield are both impeccably well detailed, though bits of the Vermont devices are seen on both sides too. Problem free, technically and visually choice, this is a very special example of this charismatic variety.<p>Most, if not all, examples of Maris 73-aa are overstruck. Though nowhere near as common as Maris 17-K, Maris 17-b, or Maris 56-n, the range of undertypes is perhaps broader, and the shocking degree of visibility of the overstruck hosts makes this variety stand out from the rest of the New Jersey series in a way that engenders collector devotion. High grade examples of this variety are very rare, despite the relative plentitude in the present sale. The top spot on the SHI Condition Census is given to the Sherr-Anton coin, offered in the following lot. This piece is ranked second on the census, leading three EFs. An EF-, Spiro:1617, is ranked fifth, and spots six through eleven belong to coins graded VF.<p>This sale is an unusual opportunity to see the top two pieces ranked by Siboni, Howes, and Ish at the same time, sold in consecutive lots. Though the SHI listing ranks the currently offered coin second, the surfaces on this piece seem higher grade than the piece offered next. Your cataloger grades this piece finer than the one that follows. Each potential bidder may rank these two (and the Maris 73-aa struck over the 1776 Machin’s, graded EF-45 by PCGS) in different order. The choice of which is finest is subjective, and auctions like this one are a perfect real-world way to determine which piece is most desirable, whether that be defined in shorthand as “grade” or with its inevitably conjoined concept, price.<p>This magnificent overstrike has not traded publicly since the 1955 Spiro sale.From the E Pluribus Unum Collection of New Jersey Coppers. Earlier, from Hans Schulman’s sale of the Jacob N. Spiro Collection, March 1955, lot 1618; Willard C. Blaisdell Collection; William Anton Collection; E Pluribus Unum Collection, via Larry Stack.
