1786 NJ 1/2P Maris 17-K, Chess Knight, BN MS(PCGS#767907)

1786 NJ 1/2P Maris 17-K, Chess Knight, BN MS (PCGS#767907)

November 2019 Baltimore Colonial Coins and Americana Auction

Lot Description: 1786 New Jersey copper. Maris 17-K. Rarity-3. Overstruck on a 1787 Connecticut copper. VF-25 (PCGS). 122.2 grains. Attractive light to medium brown with some golden highlights. Perfectly centered and broad, with a wealth of apparent detail from both the New Jersey dies and the Connecticut copper they were coined atop. Some scattered roughness and granularity is noted, including a natural pit under N of NOVA and a lamination from the top of the shield through UR of PLURIBUS. The usual dimple is seen near the inside top of the shield, which is now lacking detail from the swelling of the reverse die. The visual appeal is excellent for the grade. The image for this piece appears with lot 130 of the 1991 Frontenac sale, but the description of 131 is clearly this coin: “Boldly overstruck on a 1787-dated Connecticut copper, undertype’s date clearly legible along rim to left of plow handles.” No earlier provenance was given in the Frontenac sale, which consisted of a large consignment of duplicates from John J. Ford, Jr., many from the F.C.C. Boyd holdings and earlier collections such as those assembled by Virgil Brand and Hillyer Ryder. Provenance: From the E Pluribus Unum Collection of New Jersey Coppers. Earlier, from Bowers and Merena’s Frontenac sale, November 1991, lot 131. PCGS# 767907and 45423. Click here for certification details from PCGS.