Lot 149
Lincoln Cent. 1943-D. PCGS graded MS-64 Brown Copper. Lincoln Cent Struck on a Bronze Planchet. (Actually, called "French Bronze" a composition of .95 copper and .05 tin and zinc). Accompanied by a PCGS ID #82712 and certification #50035362. A very choice uncirculated specimen, sharply struck throughout, with smooth and lustrous chocolate brown surfaces that glimmer as the coin is turned. We note small flecks of zinc imbedded in the reverse field (as struck), possibly this arose from zinc dust and debris from the zinc-steel coins that had preceded it through the coining process. This further attests to the genuineness. A prime opportunity to acquire this absolutely unique example, probably the most famous error in all of numismatics!
"For many years after the war, rumors persisted that the Ford Motor Company would give a new car as a prize to anyone turning in a genuine 1943 bronze cent (usually called '43 copper cent')."
Walter Breen goes on to report that "In early 1947, a Dr. Conrad Ottelin reported discovering a bronze 1943 cent (The Numismatist 6/47, p. 434); this coin either has not become available for authentication, or else has not been connected with Ottelin's name. However, a few weeks earlier, Don Lutes, Jr., then aged 16, found one in change at his high school cafeteria (Pittsfield, Mass.), and I had the pleasure of authenticating the piece when it came to my attention in 1959. It was one of the first to achieve nationwide publicity, the other being Marvin Beyer's, also recovered from circulation (about 1958). Rumors of four-and-five-figure prices followed, but the first public auction of a 1943 bronze cent did not actually result in the coin's changing hands until 1974"
It was not until years later that a single 1943-D copper cent, the present coin offered, entered the market place (see the pedigree below). The coin was authenticated by ANACS with certification #E-8256-C and graded by NGC as Mint State 64 Brown
It has been 7 years since this coin last entered the market place and with the immense growth of interest in numismatic errors, we expect this coin to once again achieve a new record price.
Estimated Value $100,000-UP.
From Superior's May 27,28, 1996 Sale, lot 536 which sold for $82,500 (a record price at that time).
|
| |
| Realized $212,750 |
