Lot 374
1808 Classic Head Cent. . S-279. Del Bland graded Sharpness of VF-30 but tooled. All of the hair curls and stars have been tooled, most of the surfaces have been burnished and on the reverse are some scratches. Cleaned and retoned to a light golden brown with light steel blue overtones on the obverse.
Here is a very curious coin, at first glance all appears in order, but when a glass is applied extensive work is revealed. The stars have all been recut to show radial lines at their centers, and most of Liberty's curls have been carefully reengraved to show individual hairs on the upper wear points. An interesting specimen that shows deceptive practices have been a part of numismatics for a very long time, even when values were comparatively low it was obviously worthwhile to take the time to "improve" the appearance of coin in hopes of selling it at a higher value (or grade).
Estimated Value $100 - 300.
Ex: Ira S. Reed, privately circa 1945 as "Unc." at $40.
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| Realized $391 |
