1787 New Jersey Copper. Maris 62-q, W-5350. Rarity-3. Sprig Above Plow, Hidden Initials. VF-30 (PCGS

1787 New Jersey Copper. Maris 62-q, W-5350. Rarity-3. Sprig Above Plow, Hidden Initials. VF-30 (PCGS).，Swirls of crimson blend with dominant olive-copper patina on both sides of this attractively original piece. Nicely centered and boldly struck on a large, round planchet, plenty of detail remains to allow full appreciation of this classic design. Light surface scale along the upper right reverse border and a few dull marks over and around the horse on the obverse are the only blemishes of note.<p>The popular Hidden Initials obverse die, Maris 62 reveals the well concealed "signature" WM within the sprigs beneath the horse. These initials stand for Walter Mould, who operated the so-called Morristown Mint in New Jersey during 1787 and 1788, which facility is credited with producing many varieties of New Jersey coppers. Why Mould felt compelled to conceal his initials after signing this die is unknown, but he apparently did so before using it to strike any coins since an example of Maris 62-q without the initials "hidden" has yet to come to light. Mould did use another signed die to strike at least one coin, the unique Maris 62 1/2-r that was first published in 1994. Known since as a "Poor Mans WM copper" (per Siboni, Howes and Ish, 2013), Maris 62-q remains one of the most desirable varieties in the popular and widely collected New Jersey copper series.，，