Lot 1225
1854 N-25 R3 PCGS graded MS64 Red & Brown. Stray 4 in Curls. Lustrous faded red blending to dark steel brown on the highpoints, about two-thirds of the faded red remaining. There are traces of an old fingerprint at stars 10-12 and small planchet flakes under star 11 and at the lower left point of star 7, as struck. The fields are smooth and hard, covered with fine die polishing lines and offering a hint of reflectivity. The eye appeal is decent but the luster is a bit subdued, a suggestion that this cent may have been lightly dipped long ago. Rare EDS, die state a, before the strong die clashmarks nearly always present on this variety. The seriph of the crossbar of a stray 4 hangs down from the curl just left of star 13 emerging as a sharp point down from that curl. Called AU50 by Noyes, his photo #30820. Our grade is MS62, tied for CC#7 overall but finest of the early state in the Grellman census. In fact, this is the only mint state example known from the unclashed state of the dies according to the Grellman list.
Estimated Value $500-UP.
Ex Richard S. Herman 1983.
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| Realized $834 |
