Lot 11
1793 S-6 R3 Wreath Cent, Vine & Bars Edge PCGS graded XF45, CAC Approved. Very attractive glossy medium chocolate brown and steel with lots of frosty tan and lighter brown toning in protected areas on both sides. The surfaces are smooth and this cent offers great eye appeal that might suggest a higher grade. The only marks are two short, light hairline scratches near the rim before the eye and a dull pinprick close under the bust. MDS, Breen IV, with an obvious bulge in the field left of the jaw into the hair where it fades away. This cent was struck twice. Both strikes were reasonably well centered on the planchet, and the second was rotated about 10 degrees relative to the initial impression (CCW on the obverse, CW on the reverse). Obvious evidence of the first strike shows on both sides, especially on LIBERTY, Liberty's neck, and at the bottom of the reverse where both fractions are visible. In addition the planchet has a plain edge, apparently having missed its turn through the machine that added the Vine & Bars edge device prior to striking. The weight (206.9 grains) and diameter (26.8mm) are both normal and there is no evidence of tampering that might suggest the edge device was removed. A remarkable double error in a very attractive package. This cent is plated on page 52 of Walter Breen's Encyclopedia of Early United States Large Cents 1793-1814, and it is listed as AU55 in that census (it is difficult to grade a double struck cent because the details are distorted). An important cent that comes with a great provenance. (Note: This is one of the very few mint errors known on the cents of 1793. It appears that the quality control at the mint was superior that first year compared to succeeding years. This cent was item #15 of the 24 that Carl Wurtzbach sold to Virgil Brand on May 25, 1919, and the Double Strike feature was noted on Wurtzbach's inventory prepared for that transaction (see the facing page). It was graded very fine and was sold to Virgil Brand for $200. After Brand died in 1926 his huge collection was split between his two brothers, Armin and Horace. Armin got this coin and he had B. G. Johnson of St. Louis Stamp & Coin Company sell his part of his brother's collection starting in 1936.) Graded EF40 and tied for CC#8 for the die variety in the Noyes census, his photo #36320. Our grade is EF40 as well. A great coin that comes with a great history. Weight 208.4 grains. The attribution, Double Strike and Plain Edge Mint Errors, and the Neiswinter provenance are all noted on the PCGS label. PCGS population 2; 4 finer for the variety at PCGS, 2 in 50, 1 in 53, 1 in 55. Estimate Value $30,000 - UP
Ex Carl Wurtzbach Collection 5/25/1919 (item #15 on the facing inventory list prepared by Burdette Johnson)-Virgil Brand 1934-Armin Brand-Brand Estate 2/7/1941-on consignment to Burdette G. Johnson (St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.)-unknown-1961 ANA Sale (James Kelly), 8/1961:1400-unknown-Bowers & Merena 3/1998:98-Michael Arconti, McCawley & Grellman Auctions/Superior 7/27/2003:3-Andy Lustig-David McCarthy-Adam Mervis Collection, Heritage 1/10/2014:2408 (where housed in an NGC slab graded XF45 with Star designation)-Jim Neiswinter Collection.
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