1787 New Jersey 1/2p, M58-n, W5320, Camel Head, R4. From the Syd Martin collection, sold by Stacks on 08/23/22, where this was lot #8120 and described as: "1787 New Jersey 1/2p. Maris 58-n, W-5320. Rarity-4. Camel Head--Overstruck on a 1785 Connecticut Copper, Miller 5-F.5--Fine-12 (PCGS). 115.2 grains. 29.0 mm. Overstruck on a 1785 Connecticut copper, Miller 5-F.5, as determined by Syd. A beautiful example stuck on just the sort of host that Syd liked: an unusual and early Connecticut. Mossman's Appendix 2 traced no Maris 58-n over any 1785 Connecticut, and we don't recall encountering another one either. Syd's description of this piece from his database is worth printing here: "Mostly nice surfaces, great color. Obv: die break K8 across plow and torso to horse's head; large striation K12 downwards across horse's head; white enamel variety in upper right field; Conn rev frond at end of nose while effigy's head at K2:30. Rev: base of bust at K4; base of shield weak due to overstrike (AUCTORI discernible). Shape of frond and unique shape of effigy's bun nail the undertype reverse (Conn '85 5-F.5, which is only used with one obv (and obv totally consistent with assignment). Small clip at K12 (Rev). Hard copper with lots of gloss." The obverse centering, aligned to 1:00, allows for a very bold arc of denticles to frame the bottom and left sides of that side, striking up a crisp full date and a good look at the substantial die crack in that region. Die State 4, the latest state. A large fissure descends from 12:00 through the horsehead, and a white ink painted die variety attribution is seen in the upper right field. The reverse is a shared space between host and parasite, with E PLURIBUS and the top half of the shield bold, but the rest of that side clearly belonging to the Connecticut. The lower bust cuirass and AUCTORI are clear at base and right periphery. With its eye appeal, unusually late die state, ancient PDV, and evocative and rare undertype, this coin is a very interesting way to include the last of the Camel Heads in an advanced collection. Provenance: From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier said to be from the Dr. Thomas Hall Collection; our (Stack's) Fall 1992 Fixed Price List, lot 351; our (Stack's) sale of May 1993, lot 30; McCawley and Grellman's 2000 C4 Convention Sale, November 2000, lot 377; Tom Madigan, January 2001." I purchased the coin directly from the auction, because I loved the collection of rarity, choice color, PDV, pedigree, and everything else that this one had to offer!
