1787 New Jersey Copper. Maris 39-a, W-5195. Rarity-2. No Sprig Above Plow, Outlined Shield. EF-45 (PCGS). 138.2 grains. 27.4 mm. Reverse aligned very slightly left of proper coin turn. Called "Unc" on Syds envelope and AU-55 in his inventory, we agree with Syds assessment that this is awfully sharp for an EF coin. Light golden brown and steel with some mahogany patina around design elements. A little bright and showing some very trivial hairlines from a long ago cleaning, but extremely attractive on both sides. Denticles frame the bottom of the obverse and base and right side of the reverse. The strike is a little uneven, as often seen on this variety, with softness at lower right obverse and the left obverse periphery. Some old verdigris remains in protected areas, and an old spot mostly blends in behind the horsehead. The obverse shows at least two clashes, which the Siboni-Howes-Ish book notes are "visible only on very high grade coins." This is one of them, a sharp and appealing example of the variety. PCGS# 766267. From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Lawrence R. Stack Collection, November 2006.
