1786 New Jersey Copper. Maris 19-M, W-4900. Rarity-5. Wide Shield, Drunken Die Cutter. Fine-15 (PCGS).
145.5 grains. 28.5 mm. Called "a strong Fine" in our 1984 Bareford sale, this is a wholesome example of a rare variety that collectors seek out as one of the "Drunken Die Cutter" varieties, along with the one that follows. Attractive two-tone contrasting patina shows light brown on the devices and darker brown on the finely granular fields. Attractive and nicely detailed for the grade. Nearly ideally centered, aligned trivially to 1:00 on the obverse and showing a bit of the die edge at lower right. A natural fissure extends from the tip of the plow blade to the final letter of CAESAREA. Die State 2, with a pronounced bulge along an arc from the left side of the date to the field beneath AR of CAESAREA. A handsome coin for the grade, not Condition Census level but a very pleasing example with a fine provenance.
PCGS# 767879.
From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Dr. Thomas Hall Collection; Dr. Thomas Hall Estate, May 1909; Virgil M. Brand Collection, en bloc, by sale, September 1909; Horace and Armin Brand, by descent, June 1926; New Netherlands Coin Company to Harold Bareford, 1951; our (Stack's) sale of the Harold Bareford Collection, May 1984, lot 126; our (Stack's) sale of May 2000, lot 82; Lawrence R. Stack Collection, November 2006.