1787 NJ 1/2P Bulbous Nose, Maris 43-d, BN MS(PCGS#763359)

1787 NJ 1/2P Bulbous Nose, Maris 43-d, BN MS (PCGS#763359)

The June 2012 Baltimore Auction

Lot Description: 1787 New Jersey Copper. Maris 43-d, W-5225. Rarity-1. Small Planchet, Plain Shield. MS-63 BN (PCGS). CAC. One of the Pronounced Outline to Shield varieties, although not designated as such on the PCGS insert. Left ear under space between C an A. Other ear under left upright of A. This example was struck slightly off center on both sides, and the tops of the letters URIB on the reverse are off of the flan. The reverse has mild clash marks from the obverse design, occurring mainly across the lower right portion of the shield. A pleasing and nicely preserved Select Mint State example. Lustrous and largely free of post-strike imperfections. Maris 43-d is one of the more readily obtainable New Jersey copper die marriages in terms of total number of examples known, but the series as a whole is rare in Mint State. The present example is one of perhaps just a half dozen or so Uncs known, per William T. Anton, Jr. (referenced in Whitman Encyclopedia of Colonial and Early American Coins by Q. David Bowers). Our recent sale of Collection SLT (January 2012) included three examples of Maris 43-d, all of which graded only VF. Numismatic Reflections by Q. David Bowers New Jersey coppers are fascinating to collect, and the present piece is certainly outstanding -- ideal as a basic type. The new 2013 edition of A Guide Book of United States Coins,now in distribution, has a revised section on New Jersey coppers that is well worth checking. PCGS# 506.