Lot 294
1803 S-261 R2 Small Date, Large Fraction. PCGS graded MS-62 Brown. Lustrous chocolate and steel brown with lighter steel brown toning in protected areas, especially on the obverse. A very attractive cent that received an MS65 grade from Ted Naftzger. The only sign of contact is a very faint scuff on the chin. MDS Breen state III early. The die crack from the dentils up between the 8 & 3 extends through the shoulder and hair but ends just above the lower end of the hair ribbon (an intermediate state not mentioned in the Breen encyclopedia). In addition there is a shallow low spot covering most of the neck down to the shoulder with a similar low spot inside the upper part of the wreath (caused by debris on the dies). This cent is plated in the 1991 Noyes reference to illustrate the variety. Graded MS60 net AU50 and tied for CC#3 in the Noyes census, his photo #21174. Bland says AU55 and tied for CC#2. Our grade is AU58. A great cent with a great provenance. The attribution and Naftzger-Reynolds provenance are noted on the PCGS Secure label. Pop 2; none finer at PCGS for the variety (PCGS # 36407) .
Estimated Value $8,000-UP.
Ex Dr. George P. French 3/21/1929-B. Max Mehl (privately)-T. James Clarke 1944-Dr. William H. Sheldon 4/19/1972-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., 2/23/1992-Eric Streiner, 1994 EAC Sale, 4/1989:289 (EAC lot ticket and Naftzger collection envelope included, on which Ted wrote "HRN & GHC called this FK N19, but both were feuding with Mehl, who sold it to Clarke." WS). You feud, you lose.
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| Realized $5,875 |
