1786 New Jersey Copper. Maris 17-b, W-4870. Rarity-3. Large Planchet. PLUKIBUS--Overstruck on a 1783 Nova Constellatio Copper, Crosby 2-B--Fine-15 (PCGS). 120.1 grains. 28.0 mm. A late acquisition by Syd, purchased in our November 2019 E Pluribus Unum sale, where it was described as "Quite possibly unique for the variety with this undertype, this is the piece cited by Mossman in his Table 29, based upon its appearance in our February 1986 Coin Galleries mail bid sale. It was described there as: 1786 M. 17-b. 120.1 grains. Struck over a 1783 Pointed Rays Nova Constellatio. The rays and stars clear on obverse, the wreath surrounding shield on reverse. Very good, light brown. The surfaces are mostly smooth, glossy, and appealing. Aside from a few trivial rim bruises, this piece is choice for a specimen of its grade. Of course, the real selling point is the rarity and clarity of the undertype, which is beautifully bold on both sides. LIBERTAS is easily read above PLURIBUS, an evocative and relevant juxtaposition. This could be the centerpiece of a collection of New Jersey overstrikes. Die State 2, with PLUKIBUS clear."<p><p>Undertypes are interesting, often attractive, sometimes scarce. Theyre also a puzzle that, once solved, yields new information: just the sort of project Syd most enjoyed. A coin like this - one of very few New Jersey coppers known struck atop a Nova Constellatio - tells us a few valuable things. Most are self evident, including the fact that this variety was struck after the 1783 Nova Constellatios and that this variety of Nova Constellatio was circulating in New Jersey in 1786. It also tells us that the New Jersey minters made a business decision and decided this coin would be more liquid, and thus more profitable, than the Nova Constellatio copper. Other state coiners made the same decision, given the Machins Mills-struck Vermonts and Connecticuts that are known over Nova Constellatio hosts. Its interesting that while some of those varieties are quite common over this kind of undertype (Vermont Ryder-12 comes to mind), New Jerseys are very unusual over this host type. Why? PCGS# 763327. From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier from our (Coin Galleries) sale of February 1986, lot 1347; our sale of the E Pluribus Unum Collection, November 2019, lot 6040.
