Lot 183
1802 S-225 R3. NGC graded MS-64 Brown. Lustrous light to medium chocolate brown with darker chocolate toning in protected areas. Bluish steel overtones cover the fields on both sides. The fields are hard and slightly reflective giving this cent outstanding eye appeal. In fact, this piece has been called a "Presentation Strike" by prominent numismatists over the years, including Howard R. Newcomb, Floyd T. Starr, C. Douglas Smith, and Ted Naftzger. Talk about gravitas! The only marks are a small swipe of lighter brown toning at the leaves left of ONE CENT plus a few tiny spots of similar toning inside the wreath. E-MDS, Breen state III, before the rim cud break forms below the date. Would rate a slightly higher grade but some of the leaves in the wreath are not fully struck. The remaining details, however, are very sharp. Called MS62 and tied for CC#2 in the Noyes census, his photo #21676. Bland says MS60 and tied for CC#5. Our grade is Mint State-62. Ted's envelope, which accompanies the lot, shows he called this cent "MS-63, prooflike Presentation Piece" with an additional notation that C. Douglas Smith called this "one of the three Presentation Pieces." This is the Newcomb plate coin for the variety, both the obverse and reverse, in his book on the cents of 1801-1803. Comes with an wonderful provenance, as you would expect. NGC population 1 with none finer.
Estimated Value $10,000 - 12,000.
Ex Henry L. Jewett-S. H. Chapman 6/1909:1671-Howard R. Newcomb, J. C. Morgenthau & Co., #458, 2/7/1945:336-Floyd T. Starr, Stack's 6/13/84:38-Dr. Allen Bennett (via Dr. Robert J. Shalowitz 2/5/88)-R. E. Naftzger, Jr.
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| Realized $18,975 |
