1787 NJ 1/2P Serpent Head, Maris 54-k, BN MS(PCGS#766278)

1787 NJ 1/2P Serpent Head, Maris 54-k, BN MS (PCGS#766278)

March 2017 Baltimore U.S. Coins Auction

详细说明: 1787 New Jersey Copper. Maris 54-k, W-5295. Rarity-3. Serpent Head. AU-53 (PCGS). 129.1 grains. Light glossy brown surfaces are a bit more mottled on the reverse due to some planchet flakiness that is difficult to differentiate except under magnification. Obverse is perfectly centered and the denticles are fully rendered along 75% of the obverse circumference, the reverse is centered toward 12 o'clock, leaving about 50% of the distinct triangular denticles in full view from 3 o'clock to 9 o'clock. Struck from Die State 3, the die crack from A of CAESAREA to plowbeam to 7 in date is fully formed. It is interesting to note that the Serpent Head moniker for this variety did not hit the standard references until the 1940s, though it must have been in colloquial use before that time. This particular Serpent Head is tied for 3rd finest known in the census; while choosing the finest among the gaggle of existing AUs may well be nigh impossible, this particular AU has one of the best and oldest provenances among them and would fit snugly into a type set of well-pedigreed coins! Provenance: From the Dr. Gordon Shaw Collection. Earlier from the Garrett Collection, possibly obtained by John Work Garrett from the Collection of Col. James W. Ellsworth; Bowers & Ruddy's Sale of the Garrett Collection, October 1980, lot 1452; Bert Cohen; Early American Numismatics, November 20, 1984. PCGS Population: 2; none finer for the type.