Lot 46
1797 S-123 R4. PCGS graded MS-64 Brown. Glossy light to medium brown with golden light tan faded down from mint color peeking through in protected areas, especially on the reverse. The always-present die line on the cheek is obvious. The only notable marks are a speck of very fine carbon nestled against the left side of the upright of the T in LIBERTY, a faint spot of slightly darker brown toning (not carbon) in the field near the dentils before the face, and a pair of extremely faint hairlines on the face left of the chin. None of these marks is distracting and the eye appeal of this cent is excellent. The planchet is perfectly smooth and quite choice on the right halves of both sides, but the left sides show many microscopic planchet chips that didn't completely smooth out during the strike. Apparently the dies were axially misaligned (the die faces not perfectly parallel) and the resulting strike pressure was slightly less on the left side allowing some of the natural planchet imperfections to remain visible. This condition is typical of the S-123 cents found in the Nichols Hoard. Still a beautiful cent, and the right halves are absolutely choice. M-LDS, Breen state III, with a tiny crumble in the dentils at TA in STATES but no die crack on the reverse. The usual Nichols Hoard die state for this variety (see the 1796 S-119 for a description of the "Nichols Hoard). Graded MS60 and tied for CC#1 in the Noyes census, his photo #36180. Our grade is MS62. The attribution and Doug Bird Collection provenance are noted on the PCGS label. PCGS population 2; none finer. (PCGS # 35909) Value $12,500 - UP
Ex "An East Coast Collection" 11/13/1998-Douglas F. Bird Collection.
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| Realized $13,800 |
