Lot 398
1850 N-11 R7+ (as a proof). PCGS graded Proof 64 Red & Brown. Light bluish steel brown with underlying faded red covering the fields and protected areas, nearly a third of the very faded red remaining. The fields are highly reflective with moderate to deep mirrors on both sides. Very sharply struck, all the fine details fully impressed. This cent is a gem except for a swipe of lighter toning across the lower curls to star 13, and traces of crud can be found in protected areas of this stain. The only other flaw worthy of mention is a tiny splash of dark crud at the dentil tip left of star 5. Fewer than a half dozen confirmed proof strikes are known, and this one is tied for second finest. Called Proof-63 by Bland and Loring and tied for CC#2. Our grade is Proof-63, tied for CC#1 honors in the Grellman census. This is the Breen plate coin for the variety in his book on proofs. A beautiful example of this extremely rare proof large cent, and it has been owned by a long line of prominent numismatists. The attribution and Dan Holmes provenance are noted on the PCGS label. PCGS population 1; 1 in Proof-66 Red & Brown at PCGS. DWH #1868 (PCGS # 397624) .
Estimated Value $15,000-UP.
Ex Dr. George P. French, B. Max Mehl FPL 1929 lot 733 (where inaccurately called Andrews-12)-T. James Clarke, Abe Kosoff 4/21/56:361-W. M. Carson, Lester Merkin 2/12/72:74-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., Auction '81 (RARCOA) 7/23/81:47 (not sold)-Auction '82 (Paramount International) 8/14/82:1527-R. S. Brown, Jr., Superior 9/30/86:1238-Denis Loring-R. S. Brown, Jr. 4/17/99.
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| Realized $19,550 |
