Lot 688
1857 N-5 R5+ Small Date Proof-Only. PCGS graded Proof 65 Brown. Beautiful bluish steel brown with 20% of the mint color remaining on the obverse, more than a third on the reverse. The fields are nicely reflective with moderate to deep mirrors. The fields on both sides are covered with fine die polishing lines that should not be confused with hairlines, and these polishing lines are seen on nearly all examples of the variety. There is some slightly darker toning on star 6, a small spot of darker steel toning right of star 9, another right of star 10, and a tiny nick on the rim near the dentils at the first S in STATES. Otherwise this cent is flawless and the eye appeal remains outstanding. This is the discovery coin for the variety and was used by Howard Newcomb to prepare the description of the variety for his book on the cents of 1816-57. It was the first example he had ever seen. Called Proof-63 by Denis Loring and Del Bland and tied for CC#4 in the Loring list. Our grade is Proof-63, tied for CC#4 in the Grellman census. Comes with a long, distinguished provenance. The attribution and Dan Holmes provenance are noted on the PCGS label. PCGS population 1; the finest Brown Proof graded for the date by PCGS. DWH #1875 (PCGS # 400613) .
Estimated Value $6,000-UP.
Ex Dr. George P. French, B. Max Mehl 1929 FPL, lot 816-John P. Young, Barney Bluestone sale #89, 9/45:989-R. E. Naftzger, Jr.-Abe Kosoff 4/56:440-Harold Bareford, Auction '80 (Stack's) 8/80:1090-Del Bland-R. S. Brown, Jr. 12/88-Denis Loring 2/15/93-R. S. Brown, Jr. 4/17/99.
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| Realized $10,350 |
