1787 New Jersey Copper, Syd Martin Collection Slabbed PCGS

Description

1787 New Jersey Copper. Maris 63-q, another. Rarity-3. Choice Fine, nearly Very Fine
overall. This is a duplicate from the Syd Martin collection, and appeared as Lot 4191 of
Stack’s Bowers November 2017 auction, where it was plated and described as follows:
1787 New Jersey Copper. Maris 63-q, W-5365. Rarity-3. Large Planchet, Plain Shield.
Fine-15 (PCGS). 136.6 grains. Dark steely brown surfaces are quite smooth and problem-
free for the grade, with just a couple shallow, circulated and toned over scratches in right
reverse field. Both sides are a trifling amount off-center without loss to any of the legends. A
pleasing example of this common die marriage, here found in Die State 3 of the reverse,
showing the tiny triangular die break from the upper left shield.
Provenance: From the Syd Martin Collection. Purchased privately from a Paris collector via
American Heritage Minting, December 28, 1995.
Very well struck, we have seen lesser-quality pieces in full VF slabs, and it is likely that if
there had been a hint of eye detail on this one it would have merited the higher grade (indeed,
Syd Martin considered it to be a VF25 on his envelope). A perfect Die State 3 specimen,
with the cud at the upper left reverse shield just beginning – this state seemingly scarcer than
the others, as once the cud started it appears to have grown fairly rapidly. A pleasing
example, traced to one of the finest collections of colonial coins yet formed. Syd Martin was
a true gentleman, and one who did so much for our niche of the hobby. He was the third
president in a row of The American Numismatic Society that specialized in colonials, helping
that august institution again appreciate this coinage; he was a long-time editor of The C4
Newsletter, taking it from an indifferent and irregular publication to an award-winning one
that published important research while still being informal and fun. Most of all, he was a
good friend to all who knew him, and he will be sorely missed.
, The legend id bold on either side, The horse shows a sharp eye and much of the mane, Also included is Syd's original coin envelope which also states VF25