|
Sale 96
Lot 133
1847/47 N-2 R3 Large 7 over Small 7 PCGS graded MS64 Red & Brown. Repunched Date, the so-called Large 7 over Small 7 variety. Lustrous original mint red faded to chocolate and steel brown on the devices with slightly less than half of the red showing on the obverse and at least two-thirds of the mint color showing on the reverse. The notable marks on this otherwise gem cent are a small carbon spot just below the eye and a couple thin, very light contact marks near the dentils at stars 1 & 2. The reverse is virtually perfect. Sharply struck EDS, die state a. All the stars have full radial lines except for #5, which shows only partial lines, and the devices are fully impressed. The die lines from the dentils at star 13 are clear. All 4 digits of the date were repunched using a 4-digit logo punch, but the repunching shows only on the 1 and 47. The initial lighter punch at the 1 shows under the peak of that digit while the initial punches on the 4 & 7 are above the normal digits, highest on the 7. This shows the first date was punched too low on the left end and too high on the right, and that the 8 was the locus of the slight rotation between the two punchings. Hence the repunching is more separated on the 7 than on the adjacent 4 because it is farther from the center of rotation. In addition, the final impression of the date was more strongly impressed on the right end (the end with the 7) causing that numeral to appear fatter than normal thanks to the beveled edges on the numeral punches. In this cataloger's opinion the same date punches were used for both impressions. The slightly misplaced lighter impression that produced the so-called "Small 7" protruding above the normal "Large 7" appears smaller only because of the relative strength of those impressions. Nonetheless, the variety (and it's later relative, the Newcomb-31 die variety that used this same obverse die) will continue to be called "Large 7 over Small 7" varieties because that is the exactly what you see, regardless of how it all happened. And the example offered here shows the date repunching as boldly as possible given the superior grade and early die state. This cent will be a prize for the serious "Redbook" collector as well as the collector of Newcomb die varieties. Called MS64 and tied for CC#1 in the Noyes census, his photo #55090. Our grade is MS64, tied for CC#1 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 $12,000 - UP
Ex Tony Terranova 11/3/1997-R. E. Naftzger, Jr.-Naftzger Estate, McCawley & Grellman Auctions/Goldbergs 9/7/2009:748 (includes the Naftzger collection envelope and lot ticket).
|
| |
| Realized $23,500 |
|
