P. Scott Rubin:
The 1787 New Jersey Copper with Hidden WM in Sprig is a fairly new variety only verified after the discovery of the unique 1787 New Jersey Copper with WM under the horse head, where the sprig is on this variety. The Hidden WM in Sprig coins are struck from the Maris designated 62 obverse, the coin with the WM and no sprig was given the number 62.5 in the Maris sequence.
The M-62 is not a reworking of the M-62.5 obverse die to hide the WM, but is another die that had the WM punched into it and was reworked to hide the WM with the punching of a sprig in over the letters.
The New Jersey Copper with Hidden WM in Sprig is known on only two Maris die combinations. Maris 62-q and 62-r. The M-62-q is a common Rarity-3 coin while the M-62-r is a extremely rare R-7+ variety with only four coins currently known (April, 2014).
While the M-62-q is a common variety the special feature of the coin, the Hidden WM in Sprig, is not always visible on worn coins of this issue. So even though every M-62 Obverse is struck with this feature only well struck higher grade coins show the features of the Hidden WM. In fact I do not believe that any of rare M-62-r coins show this feature.
Sources:
“A Guide Book of United States Coins”, by R.S. Yeoman, Kenneth Bressett (Senior Editor)
“New Jersey State Coppers”, by Roger S. Siboni, John L. Howes and A. Buell Ish
PCGS is not responsible for the accuracy or authenticity of Ebay listings.