1787 NJ 1/2P Camel Head, Maris 56-n, BN MS(PCGS#767837)

1787 NJ 1/2P Camel Head, Maris 56-n, BN MS (PCGS#767837)

November 2019 Baltimore Colonial Coins and Americana Auction

Lot Description: 1787 New Jersey copper. Maris 56-n. Rarity-1. Camel Head. Overstruck on 1788 Machin’s Mills halfpenny, Vlack 23-88A. VF-25 (PCGS). 93.2 grains. One of the most extraordinary overstrikes in this extraordinary run of Maris 56-n coppers. The entire back of King George’s bust shares prominence with the horsehead in the right central obverse within the peripheral legend NOVA CAESAREAVS. On the reverse, seated Britannia is precisely aligned upside down within the shield. The surfaces are smooth chocolate brown and pleasing, the centering of the parasite is typical. What appear to be heavy digs below VA C atop the horsehead are actually the lines of the cuirass. The only notable flaw is a pinpoint drill mark in the lower left reverse field. An eye-catching piece, this is just the sort of coin that makes people want to buy two dozen different examples of Maris 56-n in the first place. Provenance: From the E Pluribus Unum Collection of New Jersey Coppers. PCGS# 767837and 515. Click here for certification details from PCGS.