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Sale 109
January 27-30, 2019 Long Beach
| Lot |
Photo |
Description |
Realized |
Lot 27 |
 |
1793 S-12 R6- Liberty Cap PCGS graded VG10. Slightly glossy dark chocolate and olive brown. The surfaces are nice but not perfectly smooth accounting for the subdued gloss. No verdigris, only a few contact marks consistent with the grade. The notable marks are a collection of small rim bruises or dull rim nicks at F-A and one more at the D in UNITED. The date and legends outside the wreath are all strong, but only parts of the E in ONE and T in CENT are still visible. M-LDS, Breen state II late, with an obvious bulge in the center of the reverse that obliterates most of ONE CENT, and there is a subtle bulge in the field under the cap. Sylvester Crosby discovered this die variety in the collection of William Fewsmith of Camden, New Jersey, in October of 1869--just 6 months after Crosby published his monograph on the cents of 1793. He correctly identified it as a previously unknown marriage of two known dies: Obverse 12 and Reverse K. The discovery of the variety was included as the final entry in Levick's 1869 Book of Rubbings. Graded VG10 and tied for CC#5 honors in the Breen/Bland census. Noyes says F12 net VG7 and tied for CC#6, his photo #28611. Our grade is VG10, same as the PCGS grade. The US Mint struck a total of 11,056 Liberty Cap 1793 Cents from 6 different die marriages, all produced in August of that year. It is estimated that 3.1% of them have survived to today, a total of about 350 coins. Among all the survivors we estimate that fewer than 40 pieces grade VF20 or better, and most of those are of the S-13 die variety. Weight 204.7 grains. The attribution and Neiswinter provenance are noted on the PCGS label. PCGS population 1; 1 finer in VF35 for the variety at PCGS. Estimate Value $27,500 - UP
Ex DeWitt Smith 1908-Virgil M. Brand-New Netherlands Coin Co. (privately)-Dr. William H. Sheldon 4/19/1972-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., New Netherlands Coin Co. 11/14/1973:335-R. S. Brown, Jr., Superior 9/30/1986:18-Jim Neiswinter Collection.
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| Realized
$22,200 |
Lot 28 |
 |
1793 S-13 R4- Liberty Cap PCGS graded VF25. Rather glossy medium steel and chocolate brown. An attractive, well struck Liberty Cap cent. No verdigris and only a few minor marks. The notable ones are a tiny planchet chip on the rim outside the border beads above the E in LIBERTY, a larger planchet chip on the bust above the 3 (both chips as struck), and a thin horizontal nick over the N in ONE. EDS, Breen state I, before any trace of a bulge at NT in CENT. The date and legends are all strong. Our grade is VF20. This reverse die saw the most use of any 1793 Liberty Cap die, and it held up quite nicely. It was used to strike the 1793 S-13, S-14, S-16, and NC-6 die varieties. Later it was modified and used to strike the 1794 S-63 variety that has elongated dentils rather than 91 round border beads. The modification required punching a dentil over each of the beads. Eric Newman suggested to Jim Neiswinter that the dentils were probably made using a jig that fitted around the circular die stem and held an attachment with an opening to guide a gang punch. The punch would have two protrusions: one to fit into a border bead and one to create a dentil over and outward from the adjacent bead. By using this method the dentils would be uniformly placed relative to the perimeter and to one another. The discovery of this link between Reverse L of 1793 and Reverse FF of 1794 was confirmed by Jon Lusk. Using the NumiStudy program he was able to superimpose a photo of a high-grade example of the 1794 S-63 reverse over that of a high-grade 1793 S-13 reverse. All the elements lined up perfectly, even the finest details. The surprising link had been confirmed. And that's why Jim Neiswinter included an example of the 1794 S-63 variety in this collection Weight 206.7 grains. The attribution and Neiswinter provenance are noted on the PCGS label. PCGS population 3; 4 finer for the variety at PCGS. Estimate Value $27,500 - UP
Ex Benjamin Levin-Denis W. Loring-Douglas F. Bird-Dr. Robert J. Shalowitz-Bert Cohen 5/1984-Jim Neiswinter Collection.
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| Realized
$44,400 |
Lot 29 |
 |
1793 S-14 R5- Liberty Cap PCGS graded VF25. Slightly glossy medium chocolate and olive brown. Both sides are covered with uniform very fine granularity that is mostly hidden under the attractive toning. Otherwise this cent is essentially flawless, void of any trace of verdigris or marks, and the eye appeal is excellent. Sharply struck and nicely centered on the planchet to accommodate all the border beads. MDS, Breen state II. The always-present bisecting die crack on the obverse is sharp and strong. Our grade is VF25 sharpness net F15+. This die variety was first described by Montroville Dickeson in the 1859 edition of his American Numismatical Manual. On page 202 he wrote about the Liberty Cap Cents of 1793 saying "In one of the varieties there must have been a flaw in the die, which disfigured the effigy by a raised line through it lengthwise." Turns out that "line" was a nearly straight die crack, and an uncracked example is unknown and probably does not exist. The bisecting crack left the face of the obverse die uneven, and on all known examples of the S-14 die variety the fields and devices on the left side of the crack are on a higher plain that those on the right side. Therefore the devices on the right side of the crack will always be stronger and more detailed than those on the left side, even on examples struck early in the marriage. This factor should be kept in mind when grading the variety. Weight 197.0 grains. The attribution and Neiswinter provenance are noted on the PCGS label. PCGS population 2; 7 finer for the variety at PCGS. Estimate Value $25,000 - UP
Ex Bowers & Ruddy 11/11/1976:406-the "Libra Sale," Harmer Rooke 10/30/1985:28 (as VF25)-J. J. Teaparty 2/1986-Jim Neiswinter Collection.
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| Unsold |
Lot 30 |
 |
1793 NC-6 R8 Liberty Cap PCGS graded G4. Glossy chocolate brown. The obverse is sharper, at least G5, while the reverse is slightly weaker. The planchet is reasonably smooth and completely free of corrosion, but there are numerous tiny nicks scattered about both sides, strongest in the field before the face and at the second T in STATES. The date and LIBERTY are strong. EDS. The reverse legends are complete and readable except for ONE CENT, which is weak due to a soft strike in that area caused by obverse die swelling at the hair under the cap. Apparently the obverse die failed quickly and was discarded resulting in the extremely rarity of the variety. Second finest of only 2 known. The variety was discovered by R. E. "Ted" Naftzger, Jr., in February 1978 making it the first new variety of 1793 to be discovered in 81 years. Called net G4 in both census lists, but this is a really nice '93 Cap for that grade, even with the nicks. Our grade is G4+. The only other example grades F12 sharpness net VG8 for fine granularity and some contact marks. This is among that small group of die varieties that are truly keys to a complete collection of early date large cents. Noyes graded G4, Average +, his photo #21282. Weight 204.2 grains. The attribution and Neiswinter provenance are noted on the PCGS label. PCGS population 1; the only example of the variety graded at both services. Estimate Value $40,000 - UP
Ex William Hatchet-Marvin Sheer (Normar Coins) 5/16/1985 (unattributed)-John & James Bergman (who correctly attributed the variety)-Superior 9/30/1985:224-Jack Robinson, Superior 1/29/1989:18-Daniel W. Holmes, Jr., McCawley & Grellman Auctions/Goldbergs 9/6/2009:25-Jim Neiswinter Collection.
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| Realized
$63,000 |
Lot 31 |
 |
1793 S-15 R6+ Liberty Cap PCGS Genuine, Good Details Damage. Glossy light chocolate brown delicately woodgrained with lighter brown. Portions of the reverse show reddish steel toning in the fields, particularly around UNITED, and those reddish areas show some extremely fine granularity. The obverse, however, is free of any trace of corrosion or verdigris. There are a few marks including two dull digs on the cap, another under the B in LIBERTY, a planchet delamination from the eye to the rim at the right, and a pair of light rim bruises on the lower half of the reverse. MDS with a fine but clearly visible radial die crack from the rim through the right side of the Y to the brow. The central portion of the reverse is bulged (as always) leaving ONE CENT and portions of the wreath weak or missing. In addition the top of the L in LIBERTY is weakly struck, which is a feature seen on the S-15 variety but not on the S-16 which shares this obverse. The S-15 is considered the "Aristocrat" of the collectible die varieties in the Sheldon series (after the 1795 S-79 Reeded Edge). Only 13 examples are known of the S-15 variety and two of those are impounded in museums. This is the discovery coin for the variety. It combines the obverse of S-16 (early) with the reverse of S-12 (late). Sylvester Crosby discovered it in the late 1860's, and he loaned it to J. N. T. Levick to include in plate of 1793 cents that was published in the April 1869 issue of the American Journal of Numismatics. This historically important cent comes with an impressive provenance. Graded G5 and CC#7 in the Breen/Bland census. Noyes says VG10 sharpness net G5 and CC#7, his photo #28458. Our grade is net G5 as well. Comes with a long, remarkable provenance. The attribution and Neiswinter provenance are noted on the PCGS label. (The winner of this lot will also receive an inscribed copy of Jim Neiswinter's book on the S-15 die variety, "The Aristocrat".) Weight 204.3 grains. Estimate Value $60,000 - UP
Ex Sylvester S. Crosby, John W. Haseltine auction #70, 6/1883:1490 ($4.00)-(possibly Colonel James W. Ellsworth-Wayte Raymond, see facing page)-Charles E. Clapp, Sr., 4/1924 ($65)-George H. Clapp (donated along with the rest of his primary collection on 12/19/1946)-ANS Collection-traded from the ANS on 1/23/1969 to Dorothy I. Paschal for an 1800 NC-2, then from Paschal on 6/1/1977 ($4000)-Philip Van Cleave, Kagin's #340, 1/30/1986:5017 ($7,700)-Jim Neiswinter Collection.
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| Realized
$75,000 |
Lot 32 |
 |
Sylvester Crosby's Pocket Watch and 1860-O Silver Dollar Birth Medal. This lot consists of a pocket watch with winding key and felt bag plus an 1860-O Seated Liberty Silver Dollar inscribed to Sylvester Crosby's nephew, James Allen Crosby, as a birth medal dated July 28, 1864. The diameter of the pocket watch is 1 & 13/16 inches and the case is 18kt gold. The watch was inspected by D. J. Bosworth, a watchmaker in Concord, New Hampshire, on 1 June 1986. He described the watch as follows: "E. Howard & Co., Boston Mass. Movement #21548. 18K WP & Co. #8066 Model III." His professional assessment of the watch was "This watch is in the best mechanical condition of any Model III I have seen." Signed D. J. Bosworth. The pocket watch is old, beautiful, and in remarkably good condition, but it's the provenance of the watch that makes this such a special lot. Sylvester Sage Crosby (2 Sept 1831-18 Aug 1814) was a watchmaker by profession since the age of 17, and this was his personal pocket watch that was given to him by his father. The provenance provided by the family and others shows the watch was given to Sylvester by his father, the Reverend Dr. Jaazaniah Crosby, then by Sylvester prior to his death to James Allen Crosby (nephew of Sylvester Crosby), then to the Reverend Edward Webster McGlenen (nephew of James Allen Crosby), and on 4 May 1986 by Irene McGlenen (wife of the late Reverend Edward McGlenen) to Robert Wester, subsequently from Robert Wester to Babe Binnette shortly before Wester's death, and finally to Jim Neiswinter in March of 2014. The accompanying 1860-O silver dollar is in extremely fine condition. Crosby added an inscription (probably did the engraving himself, but we don't know for sure) in the field above the eagle "James Allen Crosby" with "July 28 1864" below. He gave this silver dollar to his nephew as a birth medal. The inscribed silver dollar (along with two Crosby medals dated 1869 & 1876) was purchased on 6/3/1986 by Robert Wester and the dollar was eventually acquired by Jim Neiswinter. Included with this lot are the following relevant documents: The D. J. Bosworth (Watchmaker) 6/1/86 report with a partial provenance of ownership written on the back, another report from Bosworth the watchmaker dated 5/15/86 stating "This watch in perfect mechanical condition", a background report on the E. Howard Watch Company that shows their Model III watches were made in 1862, four color photos of the watch taken from different perspectives, a copy of the Spring 1982 edition of "The Asylum" quarterly journal that contains an article on the history of the Crosby family and Sylvester's contributions to the hobby, and a copy of the Colonial Newsletter dated July 1987 that contains an article written about Crosby by Robert Wester. Among other things the article discusses the disposition of Sylvester Crosby's personal effects with specific mention of this pocket watch and the inscribed 1860-O silver dollar. In your cataloger's opinion this watch and silver dollar would be perfect companions to the preceding lot, the S-15, that was discovered by Sylvester Crosby. Lot of 2 pieces. Estimate Value $8,000 - UP
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| Realized
$5,520 |
Lot 33 |
 |
1793 S-16 R6 Liberty Cap PCGS Genuine Fine Details Planchet Flaw. Glossy dark chocolate brown. The planchet appears to be perfectly smooth but the fields and protected areas are covered with extremely fine roughness that is mostly hidden under the glossy toning. The devices are a lighter shade of brown and chocolate. The obverse has a deeper gloss than you would expect suggesting it was "Sheldonized" long ago using a special wax. There are several obvious marks, the most prominent of those being a partially delaminated planchet flaw in the field before the mouth and chin that can immediately identify this coin. In addition there are a few rim bruises including one under the end of the bust and perhaps 10 more lighter ones around the reverse. The date is clear and the legends are complete and easily readable. EDS with a faint radial die crack from the rim through the right side of the Y in LIBERTY to just short of the brow where it fades out, and there is no crack from the lowest curl to the rim. The bulge in the center of the reverse is not yet apparent, and the reverse is rotated 135 degrees clockwise relative to the typical head-to-foot die orientation (curiously this variety is often found with a rotated reverse). This coin is plated in Dr. Sheldon's Early American Cents and Penny Whimsy where he describes it as having a "heavily broken obverse die." The "die break" is a lamination defect in the planchet, not a die break, and this distinction should have been obvious to an expert such as Sheldon. Walter Breen discusses this specific coin on page 79 in his large cent encyclopedia. Carl Wurtzbach sold this cent to Sheldon in 1945 for $225. This was at about the same time Sheldon bought the S-7 from Wurtzbach for $150 more (the second one listed above). In Early American Cents Sheldon described this S-16 as the "famous broken die specimen" and he graded it VG10, second finest known. Sheldon, however, failed to mention he owned the cent at that time. He called the variety R7 knowing of only 7 examples with unconfirmed rumors of two more. Ten years later in Penny Whimsy he reported knowing of 11 examples of the S-16. He writes "The variety remains R7, although barely so." And he still listed this example as VG10 and second finest known (and he still owned it). Today the population of the S-16 die variety has increased to just over 20, so the rarity has fallen to R6. Two of the new discoveries are VF, and this piece is now tied for CC#5 honors. Sheldon's assessment that this piece was struck with a broken obverse die has been debunked. Perhaps his ownership came with fuzzy glasses. Graded VG8 and tied for CC#4 in the Breen/Bland census. Noyes says VF20 sharpness net VG8 and tied for CC#5, his photo #24105. Our grade is net VG8 as well. An important example of a very rare variety, and it comes with a provenance that contains some of the brightest luminaries in the history of large cent collecting. Weight 200.2 grains. Estimate Value $30,000 - UP
DeWitt Smith 10/1908-Virgil M. Brand-Henry C. Hines-Carl Wurtzbach 1945-Dr. William H. Sheldon 4/19/1972 ($225)-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., New Netherlands Coin Co. 11/14/1973:337-Douglas Robbins-William R. T. Smith-Dr. Edward R. Bush 4/1979-G. Lee Kuntz, Superior 10/6/1991:19-Wes Rasmussen, Heritage 1/13/2005:3019-Jim Neiswinter Collection.
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| Unsold |
Lot 34 |
 |
1794 S-17a R5- Head and Edge of 1793 PCGS graded F15. Attractive glossy medium steel brown and chocolate. The surfaces are smooth, free of any trace of corrosion or verdigris. Just a few contact marks including a rim bruise left of the cap and a fine diagonal pin scratch from the front edge of the neck to the hair near the base of the cap. M-LDS, Breen state III, with a bold die crack connecting the end of the pole to the rim and a clearly defined wave from the rim to the left base of the L in LIBERTY and then lightly to the hair below. The date and legends are all bold. Graded F12 and tied for CC#9 in the Bland census. Noyes says F15 net VG10 and tied for CC#7, his photo #28456. Our grade is F12. A very nice mid-grade example of this tough Head of 1793 variety, and it comes with a great provenance. The attribution and Neiswinter provenance are noted on the PCGS label. PCGS population 1; 3 finer for the variety, 1 in 25, 1 in 45, 1 in 50. Estimate Value $14,000 - UP
Ex John Story Jenks, Henry Chapman 12/1921:6105-Henry C. Hines-Dr. William H. Sheldon-Dr. Charles L. Ruby 12/1972-Superior Stamp & Coin-Superior auction 2/11/1974:336-Dr. Robert A. Schuman-Myles Z. Gerson-Dr. Philip W. Ralls-Del Bland 5/13/1986-Herman Halpern, Stack's 3/16/1988:17-Jim Neiswinter Collection.
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| Realized
$15,000 |
Lot 35 |
 |
1794 S-18a R6 Head and Edge of 1793 G5. Sharpness VG10 overall but better on the reverse than the obverse thanks to very dull dents that cover most of the obverse. The surfaces are smooth except for a small pit in the field before the face, and there are some dull nicks on the nose and mouth. The obverse was recolored following a light burnishing, possibly to minimize the effects of the dents. Glossy chocolate brown and dark steel. The date is clear and the legends on the reverse are strong. EDS, Breen state I, before die polishing removed clashmarks and weakened some of the finer details of the wreath. The edge lettering is strong, and the down-turned leaf following DOLLAR is bold. The first owner of this coin who is known to us was William S. Appleton. He was one of the eight founding members of the Boston Numismatic Society which was formed on February 11, 1860. He served as secretary for the Society until his death in 1903, and his collection was donated by his family to the Massachusetts Historical Society in 1905. A very rare variety that seldom comes in higher grades; only 3 or 4 are known that grade better than VG. Graded VG10 sharpness net G5 and CC#8 in the Breen/Bland census. Estimate Value $7,500 - UP
Ex William S. Appleton-Appleton Estate-Massachusetts Historical Society, Stack's 5/1971:20-Denis W. Loring 5/1974-Dr. Robert J. Shalowitz-Dr. C. R. Chambers-Richard V. Punchard 5/1993-Denis Loring 7/1993-Dr. Timothy Reid-Denis Loring 4/2001-Jim Neiswinter Collection.
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| Realized
$5,760 |
Lot 36 |
 |
1794 S-18b R4 Head of 1793, Edge of 1794 VG10. Sharpness VF20 but covered with uniform very fine granularity. No verdigris but a glass reveals myriad fine scratches covering the portrait. Otherwise the only notable mark is a minor rim bruise over the I in LIBERTY. Medium chocolate brown and light olive with a hint of steel overtone. The date and legends are all clear and the edge lettering is strong. LDS, Breen state V, with a strong bulge at ED in UNITED in addition to the earlier bulge in the field under the cap. Estimate Value $8,000 - UP
Ex Stack's 9/2005:451-Jim Neiswinter Collection (lot ticket included).
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| Realized
$4,800 |
Lot 37 |
 |
1794 S-19a R5+ Head and Edge of 1793 G4. Rather glossy medium chocolate brown and steel. The surfaces are decent but a glass reveals microscopic roughness in the fields and protected areas, particularly on the reverse. No verdigris, and the only notable mark is a nick under the E in AMERICA. EDS, Breen state I, before die failure in the field near the rim under the cap. The date is weak but the upper half of the 179 is easily readable and most of the legends are reasonably clear. The edge lettering is complete and clear and the down-turned leaf following DOLLAR is strong. Graded G6 sharpness net G4 by Noyes, his photo #35742. Estimate Value $2,500 - UP
Ex Jim Long 9/1991-Jim Neiswinter Collection.
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| Realized
$2,520 |
Lot 38 |
 |
1794 S-19b R4+ Head of 1793, Edge of 1794 VG7. Sharpness F12, even better on the reverse, but covered with fine granularity. No verdigris but there are some obvious contact marks including myriad fine scratches on the obverse and a few small rim bruises on both sides, the strongest one at the D in UNITED. Slightly glossy dark olive brown and steel. MDS, Breen state II, with a subtle bulge in the field under the cap. The date and legends are all easily readable and the edge lettering is complete. Estimate Value $4,500 - UP
Ex Bernie Weisburgh (coin shop owner in Plattsburgh, NY) 5/1967-John D. Wright Collection (via Bob Grellman & Chris McCawley) 11/2007-Jim Neiswinter Collection.
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| Realized
$1,500 |
Lot 39 |
 |
1794 S-20b R4 Head of 1793, Edge of 1794 VG10. Sharpness VF20 but there are several rim dents, mostly on the obverse, on an otherwise beautiful large cent. Glossy medium brown with darker steel brown toning on the highpoints and frosty lighter steel brown in protected areas. No roughness or verdigris and the only additional marks are a shallow planchet flake in the field left of the cap and a small dig under IC in AMERICA. The date and legends are all complete and strong. EDS, Breen state I, before the bulge from the rim to the chin. Most examples of the S-20 die variety have the edge device of 1794 (leaf ends point up), but a single example is known with the edge of 1794 superimposed over the edge of 1793 (called S-20a or NC-7 and that unique variant sold as lot #34 in our 9/6/2009 sale of the Dan Holmes Collection). This reverse was also used on the first Head of 1794 variety, the S-21. When Del Bland graded this cent for the Van Cleave Collection auction (Kagin's 1/30/1986:5024) he downgraded it to VG8 because of the rim dents. Del hated rim dents above all other defects, and this cent has more than it's share. But because of the details, color, and surfaces of the coin, Jim Neiswinter feels a grade of VF25 sharpness net F12 is more appropriate. Your cataloger respects the opinions of both numismatists, and a net grade of VG10 does seem like a reasonable compromise between good friends. Regardless of the net grade you may assign, there is no disputing this cent comes with an outstanding provenance. On a related note in 1946 George H. Clapp offered an opinion regarding rim dents on large cents in his review of Sheldon's manuscript for Early American Cents, his 1949 reference that established "Sheldon #'s" for the die varieties of early date cents. In Clapp's typed notes to Dr. Sheldon he suggests the proliferation of rim dents on large cents may have come, at least partially, from a game popular with young boys in the 1870's (and undoubtedly before that). Mr. Clapp said that "as a boy, over 70 years ago, it was a favorite game among the boys for one to put a big cent in a ring and others throw cents at it, the boy who hit it got it. Then (another) boy put a cent down and the game continued. While in the Seventies (that's 1870's) big cents were not too common, there were still many in circulation. This may account for the bad dents on so many early ones." As a youngster in the 1950's we played a similar game of pitching pennies (Lincoln cents) at a wall, closest to the wall won the pennies. Well boys will be boys regardless of the century, and they probably deserve some of the blame for all those rim dents. Estimate Value $7,500 - UP
Ex William W. Hays 1900-Charles Steigerwalt 1906-Charles Zug, Lyman H. Low 3/7/1907:1-C. H. Stearns, Mayflower 12/2/1966:298-Alfred Bonard, Abner Kreisberg 1967-Philip Van Cleave, Kagin's 1/30/1986:5024-Darwin B. Palmer 1990-Jim Neiswinter Collection (includes two old collection envelopes and the Van Cleave lot ticket).
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| Realized
$8,400 |
Lot 40 |
 |
1794 S-63 R2 Head of 1794 VF30. Attractive glossy light chocolate brown delicately woodgrained with lighter brown on both sides. No corrosion or verdigris. The obverse is choice but the reverse is covered with microscopic planchet striations or laminations that are visible under magnification. The best identifying marks, and they are trivial, are a small nick hidden in the hair left of the ear lobe and a tiny planchet void that connects the two leaves at the top of the wreath (as struck). Nicely struck EDS, Breen state I, before any die clashmarks. From our experience, the unclashed die state is considerably more scarce than the clashed version. (See lot #28, the 1793 S-13, for a discussion of the connection between the reverse of this S-63 and several varieties of the 1793 Liberty Cap Cent.). Estimate Value $4,500 - UP
Ex Trina Husak-March Wells-Jim Neiswinter Collection.
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| Realized
$3,600 |
Lot 41 |
 |
1793 S-2 R4 Chain AMERICA Counterstamped "GW" Fair-2+. Glossy chocolate brown and steel with a couple small puffs of lighter steel toning on the lower part of the obverse. The surfaces are smooth and quite nice, especially for a Chain Cent with this much wear. A very thin rim nick over the I in UNITED is a good identifying mark. The date is faint but can still be made out, and the legends are weak but readable. This piece was stamped at the top of the head with "GW" in raised letters inside a small nearly square rectangle, the Brunk W-27 stamp. The stamp is strongly impressed and the letters are clear. Brunk lists this as a George Washington fantasy stamp, apparently a stamp to honor the president but not issued by him. Can't recall ever seeing another counterstamped 1793 Chain Cent, but they may exist. Estimate Value $1,000 - UP
Ex Chris McCawley-McCawley & Grellman Auctions 1/1996:142-Jim Neiswinter Collection (lot ticket included).
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| Realized
$2,640 |
Lot 42 |
 |
1793 S-5 R4 Wreath Cent Counterstamped "BEAR" Fair-2. Slightly glossy medium chocolate and darker olive brown. The surfaces are mostly smooth but there are areas of very fine roughness on both sides. The date and leaf sprig above it were strongly reengraved and "BEAR" was stamped in large letters across the obverse using individual letter punches. The portrait, LIBERTY, and about 20% of the devices on the reverse are still clear. This is the Brunk B-454 counterstamp. Estimate Value $500 - UP
Ex Steve Hayden 8/2013-Jim Neiswinter Collection.
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| Realized
$408 |
Lot 43 |
 |
1793 S-5 R4 Wreath Cent Counterstamped "J. STAPLETON" Basal State-1. Slightly glossy dark chocolate and olive brown. This cent is heavily worn and covered with fine roughness, but there is enough detail remaining to positively attribute it as the Sheldon-5 die variety. The major devices remaining visible are the sprig over the date, the top of the head, and parts of LIBERTY. There is a deep planchet delamination where the date should have been, the stamp "J. STAPLETON" strongly added across the obverse from rim to rim, and "1858" engraved above the stamp. This is the Brunk S-862 stamp. Estimate Value $300 - UP
Ex McCawley & Grellman Auctions/Goldbergs 1/25/2015:225-Jim Neiswinter Collection.
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| Realized
$210 |
Lot 44 |
 |
1793 S-9 R2 Wreath Cent Counterstamped "No.10" Fair-2+. Mostly glossy medium steel brown and chocolate. No serious defects, just a few light rim bruises and microscopic roughness. The date is still readable and much of the legend outside the wreath remains readable. Strongly stamped across the obverse in very large format is "No.10". Possibly a tool check, but those usually have a hole. Not listed in Brunk. Estimate Value $300 - UP
Ex Colonel Steven K. Ellsworth 4/1996-Jim Neiswinter Collection.
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| Realized
$432 |
Lot 45 |
 |
1793 S-10 R4 Wreath Cent Double Counterstamped VG8. Slightly glossy steel brown and chocolate. Minor roughness covers the fields and protected areas while the highpoints are smooth. No verdigris or notable marks. The date is clear and the legends are complete, although a few elements on the reverse are a bit weak due to the stamps. This cent has two different counterstamps. Vertically in the field behind the portrait is the stamp "I. OWEN" using raised letters in an incuse rectangle. This is Brunk stamp O-163. John Owen was a silversmith located on 11 North 2d Street in Philadelphia between 1804 and 1831. The other stamp is positioned vertically in the field before the portrait, and it reads "I. M. SMITH" using raised letters in a long incuse rectangle. This stamp is not listed in Brunk. A really nice counterstamped 1793 cent. Estimate Value $1,500 - UP
Ex Superior 2/16/1976:1346-John D. Wright, 2003 EAC Sale, McCawley & Grellman Auctions 4/26/2003:285-Jim Neiswinter Collection (includes the Wright collection envelope and both lot tickets).
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| Realized
$1,620 |
Lot 46 |
 |
1793 S-11b R4 Wreath Cent with Lettered Edge Counterstamped "H. REES" Basal State-1. Slightly glossy steel brown and light chocolate. Mostly smooth with only microscopic roughness in protected areas. No marks or verdigris, just heavily worn. Most everything is worn away but you can see the upper part of the portrait and parts of LIBERTY. Portions of the edge lettering remain visible, including all of DOLLAR and the two leaves that follow, and that makes a positive attribution possible. Stamped "H. REES" in an arc across the upper part of the obverse. This is Brunk R-163. The stamp is attributed to H. Rees, a blacksmith in Philadelphia. Estimate Value $200 - UP
Ex Dan Trollan 4/2003-Jim Neiswinter Collection.
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| Realized
$264 |
Lot 47 |
 |
1793 S-11c R3- Wreath Cent with Lettered Edge Counterstamped "ROWLAND/PHILADA" Basal State-1. Slightly glossy medium steel brown and chocolate with darker chocolate in protected areas. Reasonably smooth showing minor roughness and a few specks of dark scale. No notable marks. The date is gone but most of the sprig and portrait remain visible along with portions of LIBERTY. The reverse is slick except for the stamps. About half of the edge letters remain visible including the single leaf following DOLLAR, and this enables a positive attribution. There are three eagles on the upper half of the reverse with "ROWLAND" across the center and "PHILADA" below in incuse letters. The final "A" in PHILADA is smaller and raised up a bit to indicate an abbreviation. This stamp is Brunk R-577. Estimate Value $400 - UP
Ex Stack's 9/30/2010:5002-Tony Terranova-Greg Hannigan 3/2014-Jim Neiswinter Collection (lot ticket included).
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| Realized
$456 |
Lot 48 |
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1793 S-1 Chain AMERI. Electrotype Copy EF45. Glossy medium brown and light chocolate. Sharp and attractive, but there is a bit of the underlying base metal showing through on the highest points of the devices on both sides. The edge is smooth; no trace of the seam shows. The host cent was the extremely rare M-LDS, Breen state V, with a die crack through the top of TATE. A great hole filler for that tough AMERI variety. Estimate Value $400 - UP
Ex Mike Lawrence 5/2007-Jim Neiswinter Collection.
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| Unsold |
Lot 49 |
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1793 S-10 Wreath Cent with Vine & Bars Edge Electrotype Copy MS63. Lustrous chocolate and olive brown with traces of faded red on the obverse and 20% of the reverse showing frosty red. This is a gorgeous electrotype copy, essentially flawless with outstanding eye appeal. Unlike most electrotype early cents, this one has the Vine & Bars edge added. Perhaps the added edge device could fool a novice into thinking this is a genuine S-10, but the edge seam between the two copper shells is obvious. One of the finest electrotype copies your cataloger has seen. The model cent for this copy was the superb Clapp-ANS example of the variety. Estimate Value $2,000 - UP
Ex Jules Reiver-Reiver Estate/Iona Reiver, 2007 EAC Sale, McCawley & Grellman Auctions 4/28/2007:116-Jim Neiswinter Collection (lot ticket included).
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| Realized
$6,300 |
Lot 50 |
 |
1793 S-12 Liberty Cap Electrotype Copy VF35. Glossy light olive brown and chocolate with a couple peeps of very faded red on the reverse. The surfaces are a bit uneven on most of the obverse and there are some very faint hairline scratches on the portrait, but the copper shell is intact with none of the base metal showing through. In addition the edge lettering has been added, although it is weakly impressed. None of the seam shows on the edge. This copy was made using the ANS VF35 example of the S-12 variety as a model. Nice eye appeal in spite of the uneven surface on the obverse. Estimate Value $500 - UP
Ex John Kraljevich, 2007 EAC Sale, McCawley & Grellman Auctions 4/28/2007:122-Jim Neiswinter Collection (lot ticket included).
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| Realized
$990 |
Lot 51 |
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1793 S-16 Liberty Cap Electrotype Copy F12. Glossy uniform medium brown and light chocolate. Smooth and quite attractive, but the hair details were strengthened on the model. Otherwise the details suggest a significantly higher grade. The die crack through the Y to the forehead is clear and all the devices are strong. Estimate Value $500 - UP
Ex Shawn Yancey 4/2007-Jim Neiswinter Collection.
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| Realized
$630 |
Lot 52 |
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1793 NC-2 Strawberry Leaf Electrotype Copy Fair-2+. Glossy medium brown and light chocolate. Smooth and attractive for the grade, a very good copy of the unique original cent that we sold as part of the Dan Holmes Collection (lot 7 in our 9/6/2009 sale where it brought $264,500). The Vine & Bars edge device was lightly added to this copy, but parts of the edge seam are still visible. Comes with a great provenance. Estimate Value $1,000 - UP
Ex Floyd T. Starr 7/1961-William J. Ulrich (Minneapolis)-Tony Terranova 10/1989-R. E. Naftzger, Jr. 9/2008-unknown-Scotsman Auctions 7/23/2010:267-Paul W. Lewis, 2013 EAC Sale, McCawley & Grellman Auctions 5/4/2013:119-Jim Neiswinter Collection (includes the Ulrich envelope and both lot tickets).
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| Realized
$2,880 |
Lot 53 |
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1794 S-24 R1 Date Altered to 1793. Attractive frosty chocolate and olive brown with puffs of lighter brown on the reverse. Looks like this was a very nice example of the S-24 die variety grading at least VF20 before someone decided to make it into a 1793. The last 2 digits of the date were rather crudely changed to 93, and additional strengthening was done to the hair, ear, dentils on both sides, and ONE CENT. None of the work was done with great skill. Shame! Estimate Value $100 - UP
Jim Neiswinter Collection (source not recorded).
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| Realized
$288 |
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