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

November 2019 Baltimore Colonial Coins and Americana Auction

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

6152

等级

AU55+BN

价格

54,742

详细说明

Stunning Quality New Jersey Serpent Head Maris 54-k 1787 New Jersey copper. Maris 54-k. Rarity-3. Serpent Head. AU-55+ (PCGS). 131.3 grains. An exceptional piece, a new entry near the top of the Condition Census. Both sides are frosty and glossy, with smooth pleasing surfaces that are medium brown and golden tan with darker woodgraining. The obverse is well centered, far better than usual, though the denticles on the right are far broader than those on the left. The reverse is also aligned to the left, but there are at least the points of denticles at the left border. The sharpness is world class, and the planchet is unmarred by the defects and laminations so common on this issue. A short scratch is noted at the base of the second U in UNUM, but this piece is overwhelmingly choice. Die State 3, with a thin crack from A of NOVA to the bases of CAE and another through REA to the plow above the date. A very thin vertical crack from the base of the plow to the second denticle right of the final date numeral does not appear to have been described before. The planchet is heavy for a Serpent Head, which are seen occasionally on the skinny side of 100 grains, as in the following lot. The reverse is rotated a bit counterclockwise. There are a number of very nice Serpent Heads and this piece is as nice as any of them. The Ellsworth-Garrett and Norweb coins are beautiful but flawed. We like the eye appeal of this one a bit better than Ford’s. Newman’s (sold in May 2014, not listed on the SHI Condition Census) is really beautiful but we’re not sure we like it any better than this one. The Siboni coin, earlier described as second finest known in the 1992 Henry Garrett sale, is ranked first, tied with the Ford coin at AU+. This one measures up to it in every evident way. Without picking favorites, we can say that this would upgrade most collections, and it might even upgrade the Serpent Heads owned by collectors who just plain like their specimen more. Provenance: From the E Pluribus Unum Collection of New Jersey Coppers. PCGS# 766278and 518. Click here for certification details from PCGS.