1786 NJ 1/2P Bridle, BN MS(PCGS#501)

The January 2013 Americana Sale

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

11314

等级

XF45

价格

292,840

详细说明

1786 New Jersey Copper. Maris 18-N, W-4895. Rarity-5+. Wide Shield, Bridle. EF-45. 155.87 grains.&nbsp;Choice glossy chocolate brown with near-perfect eye appeal and enviable surface quality. The surfaces are hard and essentially smooth, with the obverse betraying just the most minor microscopic granularity under a glass. Barely worn, with manifold raised die finish lines still visible in the reverse fields. The obverse is centered to 5:30, with denticles visible around the entire circumference and the die edge visible between 10 o'clock and 12 o'clock. The reverse is aligned to 6 o'clock but shows full denticles as well. About as problem-free as could be hoped for, with no notable marks and just the lightest dusting of verdigris above E PLUR. The Bridle break is in about the same state as the Ford coin. A really beautiful old copper, this would be fought over even if it was a commonplace variety. Even &nbsp;though this coin has been out of sight since 1966, it is listed as number 1 on the SHI Condition Census, graded EF+, ahead of one other EF and a gaggle of VFs of varying quality, one of which is impounded in the ANS. Only two of the coins listed have sold recently: number 8 (the O'Donnell coin, sold by us/Stack''s in 2001) and number 10 (the Ford coin, sold by us/Stack's in 2003).&nbsp;<br /> <br /> While the coin alone is desirable, the accompanying note from the legendary Dr. Thomas Hall vaults this piece to another level. It has been folded into Mr. Craige's envelope for almost 50 years and has split along its folds, but remains perfectly legible. Neatly inscribed on blue paper it reads: "Stickney Sale Lot 272 Bridle variety. Very fine, Light olive, Maris 18-N, R5, one of his highest degrees of rarity of which he only knew of two specimens. It is quite likely this is one. Dr. Maris did not record any combining dies of 18-N but he did record an 18 J with Bridle variety of which Mr. Stearn's specimen is an example of 18-J. Dr. Maris says he has seen but 3. Mr.