1788 New Jersey Copper. Maris 77-dd (DS2), W-5535. Rarity-6+. Head Right, Running Fox Before Legend. VF-25 (PCGS). A noteworthy example of the rare intermediate state of this variety, Die State 2, displaying the cocked die clash at the central obverse but without the normally seen straight stepped breaks on both sides characteristic of Die State 3. The Siboni-Howes-Ish book (2013) notes just over a dozen examples known of Die State 2 and the Condition Census runs from EF to VF-. This attractive VF example is worthy of consideration for inclusion in that list. Dark olive brown with tan devices, the surfaces are just a tad granular in places, but still rather glossy and pleasing. Good fullness of detail, the centering a little tight at the upper obverse/lower reverse, but all of the legends, fox, and other details are at least mostly present. From the Norman G. Peters Collection.
