1787 NJ 1/2P Ghost Nova, Maris 73-aa, BN MS(PCGS#763355)

November 2025 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

1382

Grade

F15BN

Price

4,080

Lot Description

108.7 grains. Another marvelous example of this very scarce variety, struck with clear intentionality over a 1778 Machin's Mills halfpenny, whose date appears perfectly positioned in the New Jersey's obverse exergue. The finely granular surfaces are nice chocolate brown, contrasting with lighter brown devices. The centering is good, no marks or other flaws of consequence are noted, and the commingled devices of the parasite and host make for fascinating examination. BRIT is visible at the plowhandles, while CAESAREA and the star that follows are clear on the other side of the obverse. The exergual line of the undertype is perfectly level below the plow. On the obverse, the top of George's head, laurels and all, springs from the top of the shield like Athena from the head of Zeus, with a peripheral legend reading GEORGIVS III UNUM. <p>This piece did not make the list in Mossman's Appendix 2, nor does it appear to have been published previously. Machin's Mills undertypes on this variety make up a very small proportion of the known undertypes. We have three such coins in our digital database of the last 20 years: two from the November 2019 E Pluribus Unum sale (over 1-47A and 6-76A) and another on a 1778 Machin's from the Norm Peters sale of November 2021.