1786 New Jersey Copper. Maris 25-S, W-4980. Rarity-5. Straight Plow Beam, Eye in Neck. VG-10 (PCGS). 155.3 grains. 28.2 mm. Reverse aligned slightly left of proper coin turn. Golden tan with some darker mottling on both sides. Perfectly centered on the reverse, aligned to the left on the obverse, with a frame of denticles around the right side. Scattered tiny nicks are present over much of the surface of both sides, and a couple of trivial hairlines are noted near the plow. All design elements are present and the overall look is appealing. This is a variety that rarely comes choice in any grade and just as infrequently comes in high grades as well. The Miller coin, later in Ford and Partrick, ranked sixth in the SHI Census, is the most recent decent example sold. Graded Fine-15 (NGC), it brought $5,280 in March 2021. None of the examples in private hands are listed as better than "VF+." The sole example known in finer grade is the EF in the New Jersey Historical Society. PCGS# 767886. From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Harold Morrison Smith (1888-1971) Collection; Tom Madigan, February 2001.
