Lot 37
1792 Birch Cent Judd-4 Pollock-5 Rarity-7 PCGS graded VG10. The obverse is sharper and evenly struck with the devices clear and the legends complete, but portions of the reverse are noticeably lighter. The reverse was unevenly struck, strong at the top but faint elsewhere, and ONE CENT inside the wreath is not visible. The legend and fraction outside the wreath remain readable. Attractive glossy medium brown and light chocolate. The surfaces are smooth and there are no notable marks. The edge lettering TO BE ESTEEMED * BE USEFUL * is clear. Eight examples of this variety are currently traced, and only a dozen Birch Cents are known for all three varieties combined. Obviously these were struck in very limited quantities to be used as patterns for the decision-makers in our fledgling government. They are widely considered to be officially sanctioned prototypes for our first US Cents, and the Judd-4 variety was struck with a weight very close to the 208-grain standard set by Congress late in 1792. The Birch Cents are named for Robert Birch, the New York engraver employed to design and prepare the dies, and "BIRCH" shows in raised letters on the truncation over the 17 in the date. A very important piece of our numismatic history. Listed on page 89 in the "Redbook" where the Fine grade is valued at $250,000. This may be the only "affordable" example available in today's marketplace, and a gem mint state piece sold in 2015 for more than $2.5 million. The Judd attribution is noted on the PCGS Secure label. Only 4 examples graded by PCGS. Pop 1; 3 finer, 1 in 25, 1 in 30, 1 in 58. Estimated Value $225,000-UP
Ex Arnold Perl, Stack's 12/1969:604-Bowers & Ruddy Rare Coin Review #27-32-Roy Harte, Bowers & Ruddy 11/1977:2070-Wilfred Helwig, Bowers & Ruddy 2/1979:1539.
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| Realized $235,000 |
