1787 New Jersey Copper. Maris 27-j, W-5060. Rarity-6+. Small Planchet, Plain Shield. VG Details--Cleaned (PCGS).This combination of well known dies was unknown at the time of the 1881 publication of Dr. Maris <em>Coins of New Jersey</em>, and it has become well known since then as the most "common" of the not-in-Maris varieties with somewhere over a dozen specimens known. Lost in this bit of trivia is the knowledge that many of the known specimens are astoundingly ugly. The best of the known examples is the Spiro-Oechsner-ODonnell coin now in the Ish collection. The Siboni coin that the late Tom Madigan cherrypicked in Florida is good-looking, and the ANS coin is a choice mid-range VF, but most of the other survivors are somewhat challenging on the eye appeal scale. This one, candidly, fits right in. The surfaces are rough golden-olive and steel-brown, lightly granular overall, with a few shallow planchet flaws slanting up to the left from the lower obverse border. Close inspection with a loupe reveals numerous fine scratches, especially on the obverse. Judged against most standards, this isnt a terribly pretty coin, but it does retain bold outline detail to virtually all major design elements. The obverse is aligned such that CAESAREA is right against the edge of the planchet, typical for the variety. The date is clear.<p>The opportunity to add a not-in-Maris variety always dangles like catnip on a string before New Jersey copper enthusiasts, but the foulness of adding a coin that looks like a cat already ate it often limits the joy of such an acquisition. This example offers a happy medium: a rarity unlikely to require a new mortgage that still looks attractive enough that you wont be embarrassed to show it at the next colonial-coin barbecue.PCGS# 767895.
