1786 NJ 1/2P Protruding Tongue Half Penny

Coin Details

Description

Named for the horse's tongue visibly protruding from its mouth on the obverse, this 1786 New Jersey copper variety is one of the most memorably named and popularly collected types in the entire series. Cataloged as Maris 22-o and Whitman 4780, the protruding tongue feature — whether an intentional design element by the die sinker or an accidental die flaw — gives this variety its humorous and instantly recognizable character. The tongue is clearly visible extending beyond the horse's lips, a distinctive characteristic that can be identified even on moderately worn specimens, making it one of the more accessible attribution points in the New Jersey series. Scarce and popular due to its distinctive feature, this piece belongs to the Post-1776 States Coinage (1776-1788) series. The obverse shows the horse and plow with the state motto "NOVA CAESAREA" and the date, while the reverse carries the standard state shield design with "E PLURIBUS UNUM." New Jersey coppers were produced under a state contract granted in 1786, and the multiple die sinkers who produced the obverse dies each brought their own artistic interpretation to the horse-and-plow design. The Protruding Tongue variety has become a gateway piece for collectors entering the colonial copper series, as its memorable name and readily identifiable feature make it one of the first varieties that new collectors learn to recognize and seek.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. Popular variety due to distinctive feature.

Cross References

Maris 22-o; Whitman 4780