Lot 101
1845 N-8 R1 (R8 as a Proof or Specimen Strike). PCGS graded Proof 66 Brown. Very attractive light bluish steel brown with nearly a quarter of the mint color remaining, mostly on the obverse. The fields are prooflike with moderately deep mirrors on the obverse and relatively shallow ones on the reverse, and the portrait is covered with satiny frosty luster creating a subtle but very attractive cameo effect. The mirrors are subdued somewhat by many very fine die polishing lines, especially on the reverse. The obverse fields do show many of the microscopic lint marks characteristic of proof strikes, but the reverse does not. There are some dull nicks hidden in the hair around the ear, a light nick on the base of the 1, and a very fine hairline from star 12 to the bottom of the main curl, plus a tiny speck of carbon at the dentils below the 8. This cent offers outstanding eye appeal, and its proof or specimen status is subject to debate. PCGS came down on the Proof side of the debate making this the only certified proof strike for the variety and the highest graded proof example for the year, regardless of the die variety. Breen considered this to be a true proof, one of only two he listed in his census of proof 1845 N-8 large cents. Called Proof-63 by Del Bland, but Loring and Grellman consider this to be a prooflike or specimen strike rather than a proof. Regardless, it is one gorgeous cent. Our grade is MS64+ Prooflike. And this one comes with a great provenance. The attribution and Dan Holmes provenance are noted on the PCGS label. PCGS population 1; the only Proof example graded at PCGS. DWH #1858 (PCGS # 408561) .
Estimated Value $10,000-UP.
Ex George H. Earle, Henry Chapman 6/25/1912:3562-Hillyer Ryder, New Netherlands Coin Co. 9/26/1953:921-Floyd T. Starr, Stack's 6/13/84:463-R. E. Naftzger, Jr.-Eric Streiner-R. S. Brown, Jr. 4/17/99.
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| Realized $27,600 |
