Lot 1471
1839-C $2.50 Classic Head. NGC graded MS-60. Unusually well struck and problem-free. Attractive natural greenish-golden color. The mintmarked issues of the last year of this design, 1839-C, 1839-D, and 1839-O, are all scarce, with the typically encountered grade being VF or, occasionally, EF. Any coin in Mint State is a major rarity. At the time, the numismatic community -- consisting of no more than a couple hundred widely scattered scholars -- took no note of mintmarks, and not even the Mint Cabinet saved specimens of the 1839-C. This is a frosty example in MS60 condition. Muted luster spins evenly beneath pleasant toning and frosted highlights. Nicely struck at the hair curls and on the eagle and shield, with just a modicum of weakness at the stars. Pop 2; 12 finer, 9 in 61, 2 in 62, 1 in 63 (PCGS # 7699) .
Rather than being an overdate, this is better described as a repunched date, in our opinion. On the present piece a tiny line or crack connects the upper and lower parts of the right side of the C mintmark.
Identification of three die varieties for 1839-C:
A: Mintmark over left half of digit 3. Tip of branch stem over right upright of D. Usually cracked, neck to right wing.
B: Mintmark over left half of digit 3. Tip of branch stem over left edge of D. Usually cracked through E of STATES.
C: Mintmark over space between 83. Usually cracked, left shield tip to beak.
Estimated Value $25,000 - 27,500.
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