1787 New Jersey Copper. Maris 6-C, W-5040. Rarity-4. No Sprig Above Plow, Pattern Shield. Very Fine, Cleaned, Recolored. 134.72 grains. Boldly to sharply defined overall with an impressively smooth appearance that is free of sizeable marks. Curiously glossy in texture from a cleaning, however, and now retoned in even copper-brown. The Maris 6-C is one of the most important of the Horsehead varieties, serving as the definite link through die marriage to several other issues: the 1786 Immunis Columbia (Maris 3-C), the Washington Head copper (Maris 4-C), and the Heraldic Eagle copper (Maris 5-C). These in turn link to the sprawling Confederatio series, likely struck in New York City (or nearby) while the Continental Congress was considering the issuance of a copper coinage. The later appearance of this reverse die at the Morristown Mint, run by Walter Mould, places Mould among the cast of characters behind the Confederatio coppers and helps pin down their American origin.<p>Of course, the C reverse is also used on a few other varieties of extreme rarity: the Maris 7-C Date Under Plow beam (unique), the Maris 8 1/2 - C (three known), and the Maris 10 1/2 - C (unique). With the total population of those five coins, the typical collector may never get a chance to see one, let alone own one. A Maris 6-C gives most enthusiasts a chance to represent this important reverse die in their cabinet. PCGS# 767863.
