1787 New Jersey Copper. Maris 47-e, W-5255. Rarity-6-. Outlined Shield. VF-25 (PCGS). 141.1 grains. 27.6 mm. Reverse aligned slightly clockwise from proper coin turn. Ranked sixth finest in the SHI Census, this extensively provenanced piece serves as the plate coin for this variety in <em>New Jersey State Coppers</em>. On the census, it trails two unverified coins (one AU, one VF), one in an institution (New Jersey Historical Society), and two in private collections. This example has satisfying deep olive brown color on the obverse, with slightly lighter contrasting devices, and a more woodgrain look on the reverse, incorporating alternating tan and medium brown. The obverse is glossy if finely granular, with a line of striations descending from AE to the truncation of the horsehead. The reverse is more striated and granular overall. Both sides are fairly well centered, the obverse aligned to 11:00, the reverse to 5:00. Denticles surround the entire obverse and only lack in the lower right portion of the reverse. Some very old and trivial marks blend in beneath the plowhandles. The sharpness and eye appeal are both excellent, especially so for this elusive variety. Early die state with no obverse bulging, allowing for full central detail, Die State 1.<p><p>At the time this coin last sold, in the 2003 Ford sale, Mike Hodder had seen just 15 of them. The E Pluribus Unum Collection included a really lovely Fine from Die State 2. Both Partrick and Dittmer owned the variety but neither was nearly as nice as this one. PCGS# 767831. From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier from Thomas Elders sale of February 25, 1909, lot 261; F.C.C. Boyd Collection; Boyd Estate to John J. Ford, Jr.; our (Stacks) sale of the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, Part I, October 2003, lot 165.
