1787 NJ 1/2P Serpent Head Half Penny

Coin Details

Description

One of the most popular named varieties in the New Jersey copper series, the "Serpent Head" designation derives from the distinctive appearance of the horse's head on this die's obverse, which was engraved with an elongated, sinuous neck and narrow facial features that collectors have likened to a serpent or snake rather than the more naturalistic equine portraits found on other New Jersey dies. Struck in copper at 6.7 grams with a 29 mm diameter and plain edge, the coin otherwise follows the standard New Jersey design: the serpent-like horse head appears above a plow with the NOVA CAESAREA legend and date on the obverse, with the state shield and E PLURIBUS UNUM on the reverse. Cataloged as Maris 61-i and Whitman 4910, with PCGS #518, the Serpent Head variety is classified as scarce. Named varieties in the New Jersey copper series — including the Serpent Head, Deer Head, Fox, and other animal-themed designations — were assigned by early collectors and catalogers who identified distinctive artistic characteristics in the hand-engraved obverse dies, each of which was individually cut and therefore unique in its rendering of the horse-head-and-plow motif. These informal names have become deeply embedded in the collecting tradition, providing memorable identifiers that supplement the formal Maris die-combination numbers. The Serpent Head's unusual artistic interpretation makes it particularly appealing to collectors who value the individual artistry of each die sinker's work as a window into late 18th-century craft practices.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. Popular named variety.

Cross References

Maris 61-i; Whitman 4910