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Obverse of 1787 New Jersey Copper - Maris 39-a      Reverse of 1787 New Jersey Copper - Maris 39-a

  
1787 NEW JERSEY COPPER -
MARIS 39-a

Rarity: Common

Notes:
This was the only use of the obverse die.

The reverse die of this variety was also used on:
1787 Maris 38-a 

The top ten examples known of this variety include the following:
Uncirculated
AU (Bareford)
AU
AU (ex Frontenac, Lot 169)
EF+
EF+
EF (New Jersey Historical Society)
EF (Mayflower 11/86, Lot 546)
EF (Maris)
EF (Taylor)
EF (Kissner sale)

Images courtesy of Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles

Significant examples:
PCGS AU-53 (illustrated above).  Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.'s "Pre-Long Beach Sale", September 23 & 24, 2002, Lot 71, illustrated, where it was described as follows: "Shield outlined, Maris 39-A. PCGS graded AU-53. Light tan in color with a pleasing appearance on the obverse, the reverse on a slightly rough planchet, with trivial flaws seen mostly near the edge. A sharply struck coin, with full details on the horse and plow, and the shield is also very bold. Identifiable by an ancient thin line from the shield through the lower left serif of the E of E PLURIBUS to the rim. Die cracks at the center of the shield, as the dies were starting to break down from use. A very nice type example of this important colonial issue which is seldom found this nice, and often much worse in grade

Recent appearances:
PCGS EF-45 (illustrated below).  EAHA 10/2000:1004, "117.0 grains. This nicely preserved example has very little actual wear, a couple of light marks in the obverse fields, and both sides show some natural planchet flaws (as made, but all unobtrusive)."

PCGS XF-40 (illustrated below).  EAHA 04/2001:1068, "1787 NJ Copper, Outline Shield, Maris 39-a, PCGS graded Extremely Fine-40.  147.6 grains. Olive brown with some scattered areas of darker color. Two extremely minor edge clips are noted on either side of the date, both of which are somewhat hidden by the clear circle that holds the coin in the slab. The surfaces are slightly rough (probably "as made") but the high degree of gloss indicates that this coin spent only a small amount of time in circulation before being pulled out by a collector."

"Extremely Fine".  EAHA 06/2004:886, $720.00, "...165.4 grains. A very pleasing example of this major type and Maris variety. The planchet is relatively smooth and has a nice, reddish-olive color".

PCGS VF-20 (illustrated below).  EAHA 04/2001:1069, "1787 NJ Copper, Pronounced Outline to Shield, Maris 39-a, PCGS graded Very Fine-20.  Dark brown, with high points in a lighter, tan color. Softly struck at the date and on the top of the reverse, but the horse's head is sharp and most of the lines are still visible in the shield."

Sources and/or recommended reading:
"New Jersey Coppers, Part 56: Maris 39-a, 43-Y, 43-d, 45-e and 46-e" by Ray Williams, PENNY-WISE, May 2002

Obverse of 1787 New Jersey Copper - Maris 39-a      Reverse of 1787 New Jersey Copper - Maris 39-a

PCGS EF-45
Images courtesy of Early American History Auctions, Inc.

 

Obverse of 1787 New Jersey Copper - Maris 39-a      Reverse of 1787 New Jersey Copper - Maris 39-a

PCGS XF-40
Images courtesy of Early American History Auctions, Inc.

Obverse of 1787 New Jersey Copper - Maris 39-a      Reverse of 1787 New Jersey Copper - Maris 39-a

PCGS VF-20
Images courtesy of Early American History Auctions, Inc.

Obverse of 1787 New Jersey Copper - Maris 39-a     Reverse of 1787 New Jersey Copper - Maris 39-a

Images courtesy of Clem Schettino
   

 

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