Lot 154
1795 C-6a R2 No Pole, Thin Planchet G4. Diagonal Edge Reeding or Grips, Probably Added Post-Minting. Sharpness F12 but the planchet is dull and covered with fine to moderate granularity. Slightly glossy dark steel and olive mixed with lighter tones on the reverse. The date and legends are complete and easily readable in spite of the imperfect surfaces. EDS, Manley state 1.0. This piece would not deserve a second look except for diagonal edge reeding or impressed grip marks that appear to have been added post minting. The marks are old and covered with the same roughness as the rest of the coin, but they were unevenly applied which leads this cataloger to the post-minting conclusion. The marks, however, are placed at a uniform angle and they appear in rather consistent groups of 3-4 marks with smooth areas between the groups. You may view these marks as having been added at the mint, and some knowledgeable folks have come to that conclusion. Breen mentioned this piece on page 153 in his half cent encyclopedia where he says the coin was reported but not yet seen by him. Well, this is the coin. Worth a very careful look. If the marks were added by the mint, then this is an extremely important half cent. And if we ever find another one like this piece, the doubters such as your cataloger will be proven wrong. Weight 82.7 grains. Davy #95.6a.41.
Estimated Value $500-UP.
Ex Dr. Ernest J. Montgomery, Bowers & Merena 5/10/1998:221 (where it was cataloged as having a "Gripped Edge" and "Possibly Unique").
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| Realized $776 |
