1787 New Jersey Copper. Maris 35-J, W-5125. Rarity-6-. Sprig Above Plow, Deer Head, 1787/1887. VG-10 (PCGS).

99.8 grains. A challenging variety to locate in all grades, represented here by a well balanced VG with plenty of bold detail remaining. The obverse is sharp except in the center, the date full and the 8 underdigit readily evident with the aid of a loupe. The reverse is softer, especially around the periphery, although most design elements are at least discernible, and the shield is sufficiently bold. Deep olive-charcoal patina with lighter autumn-brown highlights, the surfaces are microporous, yet free of singularly mentionable blemishes apart from a few ancient pin scratches in the lower left reverse field. Maris 35-J is often overstruck, although no discernible evidence of an undertype is seen here. When Mike Hodder cataloged the Ford New Jerseys, he had seen only 14 of these; he had seen seven in 1988, of which three had visible undertypes and four did not. Bill Anton called this variety low Rarity-7 in his 1975 CNL article. Mossman listed just four overstruck specimens in his Appendix 2 study of overstruck coppers. Low Rarity-6 may be too low for this variety; alternatively, the population of Maris 35-J is weighted toward low grade specimens, as here, and they seem to trade privately, if at all. Clearly, this auction offering represents a fleeting bidding opportunity for the advanced collector.

PCGS# 763334.

From the Norman G. Peters Collection.