1788 NJ 1/2P Head Right - Brushed Mane Half Penny

Coin Details

Description

Named for the distinctively flowing, brushed treatment of the horse's mane, this 1788 New Jersey copper features a horse head facing right with individual strands of hair rendered in more elaborate detail than on standard varieties — indicating a more skilled or painstaking die sinker at work. Cataloged as Maris 65-r and Whitman 4925, the "Brushed Mane" designation has become one of the most evocative variety names in the New Jersey copper series, conjuring an immediate visual image that distinguishes this die from the many other horse-head varieties. The obverse shows the horse head with the state motto and date, while the reverse carries the state shield and "E PLURIBUS UNUM." This scarce variety belongs to the Post-1776 States Coinage (1776-1788) series and was produced as part of the final year of authorized New Jersey copper coinage. The 1788 New Jersey coppers are notable for their horse-head obverse types — distinct from the plow-and-beam obverses that characterize the 1786-1787 issues — and the named mane varieties (Brushed Mane and Braided Mane) represent the pinnacle of die-sinker artistry within the series. The fine mane detail also serves as a practical attribution aid, as the individual hair strands are visible even on moderately worn specimens, allowing collectors to identify this variety with reasonable confidence across a range of preservation levels.

Rarity Notes

Scarce variety.

Cross References

Maris 65-r; Whitman 4925