Lot 53
1797 S-137 R2. PCGS graded MS-61 Brown. Very attractive frosty medium steel brown with lighter tan faded down from mint color in the protected areas. Mint luster covers the fields and protected areas and this cent has mint state eye appeal in spite of a hint of rub on the highest points of the devices. The only marks are a spot of reddish chocolate toning between the E and S in STATES and inconspicuous spots of shallow reddish verdigris under the E and I in AMERICA. MDS, Breen state IV early, with light die cracks on the reverse. Both sides show some of the usual tiny planchet flakes and chips that are nearly always present on the variety, but they are not significant or distracting. This is the plate coin for the variety in the 1991 Noyes reference on early large cents. Graded AU50 and tied for CC#1 honors in the Noyes census, his photo #20609. Bland says AU50 and tied for CC#2. Our grade is AU55. This variety is unknown in mint state, and this one comes very close (C. Douglas Smith considered this piece to be "full mint state"). The attribution and Doug Bird Collection provenance are noted on the PCGS label. PCGS population 1; none finer and the only example graded MS at PCGS. (PCGS # 35942) Value $10,000 - UP
Discovered in England-John J. Ford, Jr., 8/1973 ($1400)-C. Douglas Smith 11/1974 ($2000)-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., 2/23/1992-Eric Streiner-Chris McCawley, 1994 EAC Sale, lot 219-Douglas F. Bird Collection (includes the Smith collection envelope with extensive notes thereon, and the EAC Sale lot ticket).
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| Realized $13,800 |
