1788 NJ 1/2P Fox Before Legend, Maris 77-dd, BN MS(PCGS#766251)

The Summer 2022 Global Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Commissaire-priseur

Stack's Bowers

Numéro du lot

8150

Grade

XF40BN

Prix

3 600

Description du lot

Important "Maris 77 1/2-dd" Running Fox Die State 2 1788 New Jersey Copper. Maris 77-dd (DS2), i.e. 77 1/2 -dd, W-5535. Rarity-6. Running Fox Before Legend. EF-40 (PCGS). 151.0 grains. 29.3 mm. Reverse aligned slightly counterclockwise from proper coin turn. An important coin, the precise specimen cited in the Siboni-Howes-Ish book as vital evidence to prove Buell Ish's theory on the origin of the major central die break on this obverse. In his article in the Fall 2004 issue of C4 Newsletter, Ish suggested the break came from a "cocked die clash," or a serious impact from the reverse die once it had become unmoored from the press and forcefully hit the obverse die at an edge-first angle. To help prove that theory, he'd need to find a coin that was high grade enough and struck at a certain alignment to see the damage this impact inflicted at the edge of the reverse die. This coin is it. As laid out on p. 521 of the Siboni-Howes-Ish book, "this damage is clearly visible on H. Garrett 1449 (see above) and other specimens, but not all specimens due to planchet size and centering." This piece, plated on that page to illustrate the damage, shows a subtle break at the rim above PL of PLURIBUS. The central damage that is definitive for Die State 2 is bold here, but the damage that is definitive for Die State 3 (former Maris 78-dd) has not yet occurred. This is by far the rarest of the three states of Maris 77-dd. This coin is ranked sixth on the SHI Census of this major die state, formerly collected as Maris "77 1/2-dd." The two best are EF and EF-, and this is the last listed of four VF coins ranging from VF+ to VF-. This piece is pleasing and fairly even golden tan, well struck and well centered on both sides. The date and legends are complete. A tiny piece of lead solder adheres at the top border of the shield, right of the center point, and the interior of the shield is peppered with repeating small impact marks. A few of those marks are seen on the obverse as well. The visual appeal remains strong, and this coin's importance to students of the die state sequence alone makes it a very valuable property. Provenance: From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Henry Garrett Collection; our (Bowers and Merena's) Spring Quartette Sale, March 1992, lot 144; R.E. "Ted" Naftzger, Jr. Collection, via Anthony Terranova; Lawrence R. Stack Collection, November 2006. PCGS# 766251. Click here for certification details from PCGS. Image with the PCGS TrueView logo is obtained from and is subject to a license agreement with Collectors Universe, Inc. and its divisions PCGS and PSA.