Lot 439
1802 NC-1 R5+. EF-45. Plated in Breen and Noyes. Very attractive glossy dark steel brown and chocolate with frosty light brown and tan toning in protected areas, especially on the reverse where there is much original mint luster remaining. The surfaces are smooth and the obverse fields are slightly reflective and covered with fine vertical die polishing lines from a fresh die lapping. The only marks, and they are trivial, are a small planchet void in the field left of the lower end of the hair ribbon (as struck), a trail of microscopic abrasions in the field up from the bust tip (and these show only if you get the light at the right angle), and a light hairline scratch in the field left of the first S in STATES. LDS, Breen state IV. The bisecting obverse die crack is strong, extending from the rim over the B in LIBERTY down through the B and Ms Liberty to the rim under the bust. Outstanding eye appeal for this very rare variety. Called EF45 and CC#1 in the Bland census. Noyes says AU50 net EF45 and CC#1 as well, photo #21940. The next best is a VF30 that is followed by a F15, so the census drops off quickly following the coin offered here. This is the plate coin for the variety in the Noyes and Breen books. Removed from a PCGS slab graded AU58 (PCGS label included, and it shows the attribution). PCGS Population 1; The only example graded at PCGS for the variety. DWH #2810.
Estimated Value $15,000-UP.
Ex C. Douglas Smith (purchased unattributed at a small New York City coin show in 1959) 6/60-Dr. William H. Sheldon 4/19/72-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., 2/23/92-Eric Streiner 4/22/92-C. Douglas Smith-Dr. Robert A. Schuman, McCawley & Grellman Auctions/Superior 2/18/02:1278-Jack Wadlington (via Bob Grellman & Chris McCawley) 6/30/05.
|
| |
| Realized $16,675 |
