1787 New Jersey Copper. Maris 56-n, W-5310. Rarity-1. Camel Head--Overstruck on a 1788 Vermont Copper, RR-29--VF-25 (PCGS). 109.4 grains. 27.4 mm. One of the most impressive Camel Head overstrikes we can recall seeing, struck on a rare and distinctive undertype that boldly shows its most notable diagnostic. A Ryder-29 has a certain feel to it, a certain Aristotelian essence, that is apparently retained through thick or thin - or being overstruck as a New Jersey copper. The planchet is of a small diameter, round, with the typical evenly dark color and hard, glossy granularity we associate with that rare Vermont variety. On this piece, the New Jersey dies are fairly well centered on the limited real estate, though CAESAREA is soft near the rim and most of PLURIBUS UNUM is gone entirely. Instead, AUCTORI is fully visible (though truncated at the edge) above the definitive ski-slope break of the obverse of Ryder-29, as bold and present as if this piece had never found its way between New Jersey dies. VERMON is subtle but partially visible to the left of the very bold New Jersey shield. On the New Jersey obverse, INDE and the cross that follows it is very crisp. The eye appeal is excellent, and no post striking issues are seen.<p><p>Mossman recorded no Maris 56-n coppers, nor any other New Jersey, on a Ryder-29. This may well be unique. We wish we could have seen Chris Youngs face the moment he put a glass on it, or Syds face the first time he handed it to him. PCGS# 767837. From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Christopher B. Young, January 2015.
