Lot 286
1798 NC-2 R7+ Style I Hair with Small 8. VG-8. Unique Early Die State. Sharpness VF20 but covered with fine porosity on all but the highpoints, which are nearly smooth. No verdigris, and the only mark is a tiny, very light rim bruise under the right edge of the fraction. Dark olive brown in the protected areas with medium brown and light chocolate toning covering the devices. Sharply struck and well balanced with excellent details throughout. The date is bold and the legends are strong. Clearly this piece is the sharpest of the 6 examples known. From a previously unknown and unreported early state of the dies, before the cud break at RTY which is present on the other 5 examples. Obviously the obverse die failed right away. This example has a clear die crack passing from the dentils over the right edge of the E through the tops of RTY, strongest from the left top of the R to the dentils over the E. Tied for finest known honors for the variety, the rarest variety of a tough year, and finest of the die state, of course. DWH #3521.
Estimated Value $15,000-UP.
Discovered by Rick DeSanctis 10/08-Bob Grellman and Chris McCawley 11/08.
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| Realized $20,700 |
