1787 NJ 1/2P White Metal Above Plow Half Penny

Coin Details

Description

Identified by the initials WM (for "White Metal") appearing above the plow on the obverse, this 1787 New Jersey copper half penny carries a distinctive manufacturer's mark that provides direct evidence about the identity of the die sinker or minting contractor responsible for this particular die. The WM initials are typically interpreted as a reference to Walter Mould, one of the three original contractors (alongside Thomas Goadsby and Albion Cox) who received the New Jersey copper coinage authorization from the state legislature in 1786. Struck in copper at 6.7 grams with a 29 mm diameter and plain edge, the coin features the standard horse's head above a plow with NOVA CAESAREA and the date, with the WM letters positioned in the field above the plow implement. The reverse displays the state shield with E PLURIBUS UNUM. Cataloged as Maris 28-L and Whitman 4800, with PCGS #500, this variety is classified as moderately scarce. The presence of contractor initials on the dies is relatively unusual in the New Jersey copper series and provides numismatic historians with a rare direct attribution link between a specific die and its creator — most New Jersey copper dies are anonymous products whose authorship can only be inferred through stylistic analysis. The WM initials make this variety particularly valuable for research into the organization and division of labor among the New Jersey coinage contractors, helping to establish which minting facility and which individuals were responsible for producing specific groups of die combinations.

Rarity Notes

Moderately scarce. The WM initials identify the manufacturer.

Cross References

Maris 28-L; Whitman 4800