1788 New Jersey Copper 1/2p M77-dd W5535 Running Fox PCGS VF25 E Pluribus Unum

From the 08/16/23 Stacks sale of the E Pluribus Unum Collection Part 4, where this coin was lot #3120 and described as: “1788 New Jersey Copper. Maris 77-dd (DS3), i.e. 78-dd, W-5535. Rarity-2. Running Fox Before Legend. VF-25 (PCGS). 142.1 grains. A final example of the Running Fox type. Very glossy chocolate brown with good detail and a stronger peripheral strike than often seen. The running fox is especially bold. A couple little nicks on the rim near 12 o'clock on the reverse are noted, small rim bruise at 9 o'clock. A good-looking and very desirable example. Provenance: From the E Pluribus Unum Collection.” PCGS #766251.25/47842354 with “Maris 77-dd Running Fox Before Legend” listed on the label. I chose this coin specifically for the hard glossy dark chocolate surfaces, the bold date, the cool late die state, and most importantly, the BOLD Fox.  The coin realized $2280 in the EPU auction, and my valuation is $3500.