1787 New Jersey Copper. Maris 43-Y, W-5220. Rarity-4. Outlined Shield, Bulbous Nose. EF-40 (PCGS). 153.5 grains. 27.0 mm. A top notch specimen of this scarce variety, one the late, great Steve Tanenbaum believed finer than the 1992 Garrett coin and therefore the finest known. The surfaces are glossy, smooth, and attractive light brown. The centering is just about ideal on both sides, with just a short arc of denticles at the left side of both obverse and reverse. The central sharpness is just superb, with a bold high relief horsehead and a richly detailed shield, soft in just a small area slightly left of center. Aside from a couple of well hidden old marks inside the shield at upper right, and a natural fissure at the base of the horsehead, this piece is just about perfect. A tiny natural planchet clip above C of CAESAREA is hidden in the encapsulation. Its appearance is choice, and its rank among the very finest known is secure. <p><p>The nine coins listed in SHI Census are all in the VF range, from the 1992 Garrett coin at VF+ to the Bareford-Foreman coin at VF-. This coin was omitted and unknown to the authors at the time of the preparation of the SHI Census. Its certainly similar in quality to the finest known and is worlds better than some near the bottom of the list. The Maris-Garrett coin from our March 2017 Dr. Gordon Shaw sale was sharper but damaged; its ranked fifth. There was nothing this nice in E Pluribus Unum or Partrick (though Partrick had an AU Details grounder that might be the sharpest one your cataloger has seen). <p><p>This is an exceptional specimen of a variety that often gets forgotten, due to its very common family member, Maris 43-d. This would upgrade pretty much all the serious specialists. PCGS# 766250. From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Jim King, December 1993; our sale of the Steve Tanenbaum Collection, January 2012 Americana Sale, lot 7562.