1787 NJ 1/2P Camel Head, Maris 58-n, BN MS(PCGS#763347)

1787 NJ 1/2P Camel Head, Maris 58-n, BN MS (PCGS#763347)

November 2025 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Lot Description: 129.2 grains. Overstruck on an Irish halfpenny of George III. An exceptionally attractive example of this scarce and popular variety, with the added interest of a rather unusual undertype. Nice light brown, nearly smooth and handsomely glossy on both sides. Well centered on the obverse with a full date and a hint of denticles above the legend at the top of that side, reverse likewise complete and well centered. Some light, shallow striations are seen on the obverse, a thin vertical scratch blends into the mane, and a vertical scrape extends into the central device above the coulter. The reverse shows a little central granularity but looks pretty problem free overall. Aside from this piece's finely rendered tall Camel Head, the attraction here is the vestiges of the design of an Irish halfpenny that appear on the reverse. The top of the Irish halfpenny reverse design is visible at UM of UNUM, with the E of HIBERNIA visible to the right of the crown that sits atop the Irish harp. With the coin so aligned, a viewer may see the 8 of the undertype date between PL of PLURIBUS. While most Maris 58-ns are overstruck, most are on Connecticut coppers, and English halfpence are more common undertypes than Irish ones.<p>The SHI Census of this variety includes a single AU (the Maris-Garrett coin) followed by eight coins in the EF range. This piece remains nicer than most.