1787 New Jersey Copper. Maris 56-n, W-5310. Rarity-1. No Sprig Above Plow, Camel Head. Overstruck on a Contemporary Counterfeit 1781 Irish Halfpenny. VF-35 BN (NGC).

108.6 grains. A fascinating example with remnants of the undertype clear. The obverse of the New Jersey copper is overstruck on the reverse of the Irish halfpenny, and it readily reveals a clear date 1781 as well as portions of the shield and crown. On the reverse of the New Jersey are portions of King George's portrait. Much of the New Jersey design is bold, the denticulation absent along the upper obverse border, but all other design elements at least partially discernible. The 1787 date is clear. Glossy dark olive-copper surfaces with the obverse quite smooth overall and the reverse with a couple of faint scratches in the center and scattered environmental damage that includes a shallow pit at the lower left of the shield. The plentiful Maris 56-n Camel Head variety is known overstruck on a host of different coins, with Connecticut coppers the most frequently seen undertype. A contemporary counterfeit Irish halfpenny, as here, is a much scarcer undertype, which fact confirms the significance of this offering for the specialist. This lot includes a well circulated contemporary counterfeit 1781 Irish halfpenny, as an example of the undertype. (Total: 2 coins)

PCGS# 767837. NGC ID: 2B4V.