1786 New Jersey Copper, Maris 53-j, PCGS XF45, CONDITION CENSUS QUALITY!

Description

1788 New Jersey Copper.
Maris 67-v.
Rarity-1.
Choice Extremely Fine, in a PCGS holder where this is graded XF45, a fitting level.
A sharply struck specimen of this common variety, in uncommon grade.
The legends are full, the R of CAESAREA weaker than the rest due to a tiny planchet flaw there, the remaining letters all bold, as is the date.
The horse shows a fully rounded eye, nostril and mouth, and most of the mane detail is sharp, as is the braided bar between the horse and plow.
The reverse shield shows all of the horizontal and vertical lines within, as usual this detail quite strong.
Chocolate brown the surfaces hard and with good gloss.
The small planchet flaw at the R of CAESAREA and one at the top of the second U of UNUM are the only ones of note, though a glass shows a few smaller ones – nearly all examples of the variety shows these minor pit-like flaws which were clearly a result of the copper alloy used.
No real marks or damage from actual circulation, and fully deserving of the choice designation that the 45 grade implies.
The Condition Census contains a solitary Uncirculated and three AU examples at the top, the remainder made up of Choice EF coins, of which this should certainly be a contender for a spot, along with its equally-graded brethren.
While there are a fair number that are technically high grade, many EF and AU coins are porous or have enough damage that if they are slabbed they only make it into a “details” holder.
The “E Pluribus Unum” collection had a slabbed AU50 that was marginally sharper on the obverse than this but less visually attractive in our opinion, and brought ,360.
Partrick’s was a previously unknown AU55 with some reverse stains, but still a lovely coin, and hammered at ,280.
Because there are currently enough Choice EF examples of the variety to satisfy demand of specialists, there is no great premium for condition rarity, and Maris 67-v is probably the least expensive variety one can routinely find slabbed in this condition.
It is the most available 1788-dated variety, which means it does double duty as a type coin too.
This general type is pictured and listed on Page 75 of the 2021 edition of The Redbook [which has had massive pricing updates, and is now FAR more accurate than it ever has been, even though it resulted in lowering of prices for many common type coins!], where EF40's are priced at 00; this is offered here WITHOUT RESERVE. The 2020 book on colonials edited by Q. David Bowers, the Whitman Encyclopedia of Colonial and Early American Coins, lists this type as his W-5510 (page 191), where the variety is priced the same as the Redbook in 00 in EF40 - this one of course, slabbed and 5 points nicer than those grade values.  Winning bidder to add for postage and insurance – ALL items we sell are sent via insured mail [or Registered mail for items over 0].  California residents must add appropriate sales tax.  The pictures are of the actual coin being offered, and have been enlarged in size to show the detail – and we have included pictures in both color and black and white, of both sides of the coin, as well as a combined photo showing both sides.  This item has NOT been graded or slabbed by one of the services, and we urge you to examine the photos for yourself and from your own opinion as to grade; we have over 25 years’ experience as professional dealers in US colonial coinage – and another 15 years prior to that as collectors of the series as well.   As always, we offer a full, no-questions-asked return policy of 14 days after receipt of the coin if it fails to meet your needs in ANY way  – AND WE OFFER ONE OF THE STRONGEST RETURN GUARANTEES ON E-BAY, though it has seldom been used; please check out our Feedback Profile or e-mail any comments or questions that you may have.  Thank you again for your interest, and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask.