1786 New Jersey Copper. Maris 20-N, W-4905. Rarity-4. Wide Shield, Drunken Die Cutter--Double Struck--VF-30 (PCGS). 154.7 grains. 28.5 mm. Acquired from our March 2017 sale of the Dr. Gordon Shaw Collection, where it was described as follows:<p><p>"Boldly and clearly double struck, the first strike was about 20% off-center, while the second strike was the main, centered impression from the dies. A tremendous amount of the initial strike is visible, interwoven with the main strike and almost creating the illusion of 3 strikes where the bottoms of the shields overlap on the reverse. Very closely double struck examples of Maris 20-N exist, though we do not recall seeing one as impressive as this. This is a high grade New Jersey copper, its details rivaling those EFs in the condition census but without their choice surface quality. Here the dark ruddy brown surfaces display a light uniform porosity, with a thin planchet striation meandering from rim around 12 oclock through SAR of CAESAREA. Struck from the later, failing state of the obverse die, though the overlapping strikes and the surface texture preclude us from determining whether it is Die State 2 or 3. A remarkable error coin from the die combination that is known as one of the "Drunken Die Cutter" varieties."<p><p>One aspect that makes the Martin Collection so special is Syds innate curiosity about what striking variations, including errors, can teach us about the coins he studied. The presence of coins like this one not only add to the depth of this collection, but give those who never knew Syd a great deal of insight into his approach and his numismatic goals. PCGS# 766264. From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Richard August; our sale of the Dr. Gordon Shaw Collection, November 2017 Baltimore Auction, lot 249.
