Lot 127
1844/81 N-2 R2 Overdate 44 over Inverted 18 PCGS graded MS64 Red & Brown, CAC Approved. Frosty bright original mint red fading to bluish steel and light olive on the highpoints, at least two-thirds of the blazing original color remaining. This cent offers superb eye appeal, and the only real flaw is the usual relatively soft strike, notably on the coronet over LIB. All the higher grade examples included in the Noyes photo display for the variety are similarly struck, so waiting for a perfect one may be an exercise in futility This cent does have a few trivial contact marks on the obverse, including a tiny nick on the top of the 8 and a very thin vertical nick in the field right of star 2. MDS, die state b. The tiny points from the O in ONE and E in CENT seen in the earliest state are gone, but the blundered date feature is strong. In fact, on this example you can see that the entire date (using a 4-digit logo punch) was lightly punched into the die in an inverted position. Most of the inverted impression was effaced from the die, but evidence of the error remains for all 4 of the inverted digits, including a trace of the base of the inverted second 4 extending to the right from near the top of the normal 1. Much stronger evidence of the other 3 inverted digits is present at the 844 of the normal date. This is a fantastic example of one of the most obvious die cutter blunders in the series and is a real prize for collectors of "Redbook" types. Called MS65 and CC#1 in the Noyes census, his photo #31430. Ted Naftzger called this piece MS70. Our grade is MS64+, tied for CC#1 honors with one other piece in the Grellman census. The attribution and Koshkarian provenance are noted on the PCGS label. PCGS population 3; tied for finest graded at both services. Estimate Value $25,000 - UP
Ex New Netherlands Coin Co. #56, 6/28/1962:600-R. E. Naftzger, Jr.-Naftzger Estate, McCawley & Grellman Auctions/Goldbergs 9/7/2009:672 (includes the Naftzger collection envelope and both lot tickets).
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| Realized $76,375 |
