1787 New Jersey Copper. Maris 42-c, W-5210. Rarity-5. Outlined Shield, Googly Eye. Fine-15 (PCGS). 157.4 grains. 27.0 mm. A particularly strong example of a die variety that does not exist better than Very Fine. Smooth and glossy surfaces are an even shade of steel, attractive on both sides. The obverse is aligned to upper right, with denticles visible from 4:00 to 10:00, while the reverse is aligned to 6:00 and shows denticles at top and right side. The date and all legends are strong. The central weakness is fairly typical for the variety, as this obverse die suffered a failure that caused the central obverse to sink appreciably. This is the latest state, Die State 3. Some light old pinscratches are seen at the central obverse, and a few dull scrapes blend in atop the shield beneath IBU of PLURIBUS. The overall visual appeal is very nice. We sold the Maris plate coin, graded Fine-15 (PCGS), in our November 2019 E Pluribus Unum Collection sale. A sharper example, ranked sixth on the SHI Census, was sold in the November 2020 E Pluribus Unum II offering. Pedigreed to the Henry Garrett / Spring Quartette sale of 1992, it was triple struck and graded EF-40 (PCGS), though listed as VF- on the census. The finest appears to be the primary Ford coin, graded VF+. The nine coins that follow it on the SHI Census are all in the VF range. Fine is about as good as it gets for most New Jersey specialists. PCGS# 766315. From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Richard August at the August 2004 ANA Convention.
