Lot 39
1794 S-66 R5+. PCGS graded VF-35. Attractive glossy medium brown and light chocolate with darker chocolate brown toning in protected areas. The surfaces are perfectly smooth everywhere except in the field around LIBERTY, where traces of extremely fine roughness are partially hidden under the attractive glossy toning. The only marks are a couple small, shallow planchet flakes at the L in LIBERTY, a pair of faint hairline scratches across the top of the cap, and a barely visible rim nick just left of the fraction. Otherwise this cent is choice, and the eye appeal remains excellent. Terminal die state, Breen state IV, with the "Split Pole" crack bold plus an additional die crack arcing from the forehead into the field where it fades out as it nears the dentils opposite the chin. Called VF25 and finest known in the Del Bland/Walter Breen condition census. Noyes says VF35 net VF25 and tied for CC#1 honors with one other piece, his photo #21046. Our grade is VF25. Plated in Chapman, Early American Cents (obverse only), Penny Whimsy (obverse only), Breen’s Complete Encyclopedia, and in the Noyes book. A very important cent that comes with an equally impressive provenance. The attribution and Paul Gerrie provenance are noted on the PCGS label. Pop 1; the Finest and only example graded at PCGS.
Estimated Value $40,000-UP.
Ex Ebenezer Gilbert-Dr. George P. French (this was Dr. French’s favorite coin, and he carried it with him to show to his friends at ANA Conventions) 3/21/1929-B. Max Mehl FPL 1929:71-T. James Clarke 1944-B. Max Mehl 1944-Dr. William H. Sheldon 4/19/1992-R. E. (Ted) Naftzger, Jr. 2/23/1992-Eric Streiner 4/4/1992-Dr. Allen Bennett 1/2000-Walter Husak, Heritage 2/15/2008:2068 (as PCGS VF35)-Dan Holmes, McCawley & Grellman Auctions/Goldbergs 9/6/2009:108-Paul Gerrie.
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| Realized $74,750 |
