Lot 1347
1839-C $2.50 Classic Head. PCGS graded MS-61. A lovely full strike exhibiting traces of mint luster and all a pleasing pale golden color. A total mintage of 18,140. The lowest mintage of the short-lived William Kneass or "Classic" head type was registered by the first mintmark issue, the 1838-C, of which only 7,880 were struck. The mintmarked issues of the next year, 1839-C, 1839-D, and 1839-O, are all scarce, with the typically encountered grade being Very Fine or, occasionally, Extremely Fine. Any coin in Mint State grade is a rarity. At the time, the numismatic community -- consisting of no more than a couple hundred widely scattered enthusiasts -- took no note of mintmarks, and not even the Mint Cabinet saved specimens. Hence, the extremely low census in Mint condition: Pop 1; 2 finer in 62. (PCGS # 7699) .
Three die varieties for 1839-C are known, this example being variety C. Rather than being an overdate, this is better described as a repunched date. On the present piece extensive die breaks can be found on both sides.
Identification of three die varieties: 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 - 27,000.
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