Lot 49
1797 S-131 R2 Stemless Wreath. PCGS graded AU-55. Frosty steel and olive brown. Satiny mint frost shows in protected areas and this cent has outstanding eye appeal. No spots, stains, or roughness, only a few inconspicuous contact marks. The only notable mark is a dull diagonal nick between the C in CENT and the berry to the left. MDS, Breen state III early. The small lump hanging down from the end of the nose is clear and a fine die crack has started to emerge from the lower curls into the field, but the second vertical crack in the field before the portrait has not formed. Graded AU50 net EF45 and CC#1 in the Noyes census, his photo #23028. Bland says EF40 and tied for CC#2 behind a piece that is sharper but repaired and recolored. Our grade is EF45. This is the plate coin for the variety in Dr. Sheldon's Early American Cents and Penny Whimsy. A superior example of the 1797 Stemless Wreath variety. Comes with an impressive provenance that has been traced back more than 100 years. The attribution and Doug Bird Collection provenance are noted on the PCGS label. PCGS population 2; none finer. (PCGS # 35981) Value $40,000 - UP
Ex Peter Mougey-William H. Woodin, Thomas L. Elder #43, 9/1/1910:28-Dr. Henry W. Beckwith, S. H. Chapman 4/27/1923:11-Elmer S. Sears-Howard R. Newcomb, J. C. Morgenthau & Co. #458, 2/7/1945:155-Leonard M. Holland, Pennypacker Auction Centre 5/8/1959-C. Douglas Smith-Bertram Cohen 3/30/1985-C. Douglas Smith-Herman Halpern, Stack's 3/16/1988:132-Roxanne Greenstein 8/25/1988-C. Douglas Smith-Dr. Robert A. Schuman, McCawley & Grellman Auctions/Superior 6/2000:153-Jon A. Boka 10/27/2005-Walter Husak, Heritage Auctions 2/15/2008:2134-Douglas F. Bird Collection (includes the last lot ticket).
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| Realized $31,200 |
