1787 New Jersey Copper. Maris 73-aa, W-5430. Rarity-4. Sprig Above Plow, Plaited Mane--Overstruck on a 1778 Machins Mills Halfpenny--Good-6 (PCGS). 101.80 grains. Dominant autumn-brown patina with deeper olive-copper in the fields and recesses of the design elements. There is considerable evidence of damage to the obverse die (as made), typical for the variety and undoubtedly helping to explain the scarcity of examples in numismatic hands. So catastrophic is this damage, as evidenced by the present example, that it resulted in insufficient pressure during striking and, consequently, also explains the lack of detail on the left side of the reverse. Further enhancing the intrigue of this variety is the multitude of interesting undertypes. Of these, Q. David Bowers (2020) observes:<p><em>The annealing or softening of these undertypes prior to using them as planchets was done poorly, if at all. Accordingly, the undertypes are typically very prominent on the finished coins...</em><p>Such is the case here, particularly on the reverse.<p>While Maris 73-aa is the most common die pairing in the Plaited Mane group of Maris numbers (obverses 70 through 73), it is scarce in an absolute sense and presents a challenge at all levels of preservation. With demand also strong due to the plethora of undertypes, as previously related, we anticipate keen bidder interest and strong competition for this visually dramatic piece. From the Norman G. Peters Collection.
