Lot 82
1797 C-2 R3 G6. Struck Over Off Center 1797 S-139 Large Cent. Glossy olive and dark chocolate brown with lighter chocolate toning covering the devices. The surfaces are smooth although not perfectly so and the only notable marks are some faint hairline scratches across the date. The half cent was struck very slightly off center to K-12 but only the length of the half cent dentils was affected. The planchet for this half cent was cut from an off-center 1797 Sheldon-139 large cent, and strong evidence of the large cent remains visible on both sides. Although the date of the large cent is not included and only the upper parts of AME and some of the dentils are visible, there is enough detail to attribute the cent. Of particular importance is the elongated dentil over the left edge of the M, which is of considerable help in the search. This is a fantastic early "error" (remember, spoiled large cent planchets were used intentionally to make half cents, so they are technically not "errors"). But they sure are neat! This piece is plated on page 482 of the Breen encyclopedia to illustrate a half cent struck on an off-center large cent. Weight 90.6 grains. Davy #97.2.6.
Estimated Value $300-UP.
Ex Roy Harte, Bowers & Ruddy 11/16/77:2049 (via Abner Kreisberg 11/26/77).
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| Realized $3,450 |
