1787 New Jersey Colonial Copper Half Cent Fine

Description

1787 New Jersey Colonial Copper Half Cent, a rare and valuable piece of American history. Minted during the colonial era, this coin features the iconic horse and plow design on the obverse, with the words “Nova Caesarea” and “E Pluribus Unum” on the reverse with an outlined shield. The  details are clear on this but the die was starting to disintegrate around the date area. The die clash is seen over the plow handle, a part image of the reverse shield. Categorized as Maris 46-e. 

An itroduction to Jersey Coppers from the University of Notre Dame Library – “The obverse of the copper displayed a plow beneath a horse head facing right with the legend NOVA CÆSAREA (as on the state coat of arms) and the date. The use of “CÆSAREA” is based on the ancient classical name for the Island of Jersey in the English Channel. In Roman times this island was called Caesar’s Island (insula Caesarea) so when latinizing the state name, the word “Jersey” was transformed to “Caesarea.” The 1688 indenture issued by Charles II called the colony “Nova Caesarea, of New Jersey.” The reverse of the coin depicted an American shield that is similar to one used on some of the confederation patterns along with the national motto as the legend, E PLURIBUS UNUM (One from many). New Jersey coppers were the first coins to bear the national motto.