Also, I'm a little slow, but I do poor work. Man, you guys got the next one up fast!
Coinaholic, when I saw that one on
ebay, I thought the same thing - "eh, in this market that's a $100 - $120 coin..." so when I snagged it for $50 I was stoked! Nice job, Murty!
Since nobody seemed to have any idea what they're looking at, I offered to put a little history up. Of course, this is for the coin I posted, not for Murty's post. I'm interested to hear more about that one myself!
So, mine is a 1787 New Jersey Copper Penny, and the reason I got interested in them is a) the shield, which I recognized from the modern
Lincoln Cent, and b) it's a cool design from a REALLY fascinating period in American history. It pre-dates Washington's Presidency (inaugurated in 1789) and the US Mint (founded in 1793), the absolute infancy of our country.
The obverse design features the the legend "Nova Caesarea", which is an old translation for the settlement that became "New Jersey". Below that is a horse-head (the thing that attracted me to this example is the phenomenal detail in the mane - I can totally overlook all the damage because of the detail and the way it feels!) and below that is a plow. Check out the New Jersey State Seal and you'll see a lot of this coin there. And the red liberty cap made famous by the early US Mint Cents... =)
The reverse is perhaps even more significant as it bears the legend "E Pluribus Unum" - and to my knowledge, this may be the first American Coin to bear that legend (along with the NY Brasher Doubloon)? Please somebody share if I'm wrong. And of course, inset in center of the legend is the Shield. This is the "wide" shield, with a bold outline.
There are quite a few New Jersey cent varieties, Breen numbers this one 909. And according to Coinaholic's information, Maris calls it the 46-E? I don't have that book, I'll have to check it out!
These coins were birthed amidst controversy and drama - as so many coins were at this period. From here on I'm paraphrasing the Breen text:
State Assemblyman and Revolutionary War Hero General Matthias Ogden (went to France and brought back news of Treaty of Paris along with some pretty high honors in 1783) traded his lucrative mail carrying contract with another assemblyman to secure the ability to pass a law and secure the ability to coin money in New Jersey. He made sure that gentlemen named Walter Mould, Albion Cox and Thomas Goadsby would have the contract. Needless to say, they all lost their shorts on the deal and ended up fleeing the country - or in Mould's case, the State. Also, the name Cox returns to American Mint history as he returned from England after a bout in debtor's prison, to become the first assayer of the Philadelphia Mint! Ogden died from yellow fever shortly thereafter and get this - was only 36! That's a lot packed into a short life...
This coin came from the mint that Goadsby and Cox ran called Rahway Mills - and this is cool - which is now St. George's Avenue and School St. - you can Google that and find it! Kinda near Newark Airport these days (so I don't think it's anybody's favorite place, but it's still cool!) After, much of the mint equipment was then purchased by Machin's Mills, a name familiar to Colonial collectors.
Anyway, Breen goes on to say these hit the streets of New York in March of 1787, so this one probably was minted in 1787 whereas many other varieties were backdated from minting in 1788.
In other words, a LOT of history wrapped up in this funny little coin. And now you know more than you probably ever cared to know!
Now, back to the new coin, another very cool one. Best of luck everyone and thank you for allowing me to host a round! :D
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Posted 09/10/2010 6:30 pm
