Lot 103
1800 C-1 R2 VF35. Double Struck Off Center. Glossy olive brown and chocolate with hints of reddish chocolate toning nestled into the most-protected areas on both sides. M-LDS, Manley state 4.0. Great eye appeal with only a few light contact marks. These include a faint hairline scratch in the hair below IB in LIBERTY and a rim nick at UN. What may appear to be a stronger rim nick at ER in LIBERTY and another above the bust tip, plus a lightly impressed arc across the face, were caused when this piece was struck a second time 70% off center to K-2.5 and rotated 30 degrees CW relative to the first strike. The second strike left the shoulder, lower curls, and upper half of the 18 boldly present in the field before the face of the first strike. The second strike also left an impressed arc from the outer edge of the die extending across the face with notches on the rim at ER and off the upper edge of the bust. During this off-center strike, the reverse was pressed against a new blank planchet rather than the reverse die, thus creating an indent on the reverse where the die would have struck. We know the indent came after the first strike because the dentils from the half cent are faintly visible in the indent. Apparently this piece was struck properly but failed to eject completely before the dies came together to strike the next planchet. The badly off-center second strike also caused this half cent to bend slightly from the impact since it was pressed against an uneven surface (part of the second planchet got in the way). That kind of strike can't be good for the dies or the press, but it's good for collectors. This is one of the most impressive error strikes in the sale and we are so lucky it survived in such great condition. Weight 81.5 grains. Davy #00.1.13.
Estimated Value $500-UP.
Ex Howard Gursky-McLaughlin & Robinson Auctions #4053, 2/16/85:12-Jack Robinson, Superior 1/29/89:1894.
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| Realized $9,488 |
