Lot 1082
1851 N-40 R5+ PCGS graded MS62 Red & Brown. Heavily Blunted Obverse Die. Mint red fading to olive and chocolate on the devices, at least half the planchet showing mint color. There are traces of old fingerprints on both sides (that's where most of the toning comes from). Otherwise this cent has only a few trivial marks, including a faint scuff in the field between the chin and star 2 and a speck of dark toning on the right edge of the lower loop of the 8. This obverse die was first used in the N-34 marriage, and every detail except for the date was heavily blunted prior to its use to strike cents (first N-34, then N-40). The exact cause for the blunting is not known, but it is severe and consistent. The reverse die used in this N-40 marriage is normal; sharp and properly detailed throughout its use in 4 different marriages (N-43, N-40, N-36, and N-9 in that order). This is a great cent that went underappreciated by the folks at PCGS, perhaps due to the unusual obverse die. EDS. Called MS64 and CC#1 in the Noyes census, his photo #30601. Our grade is MS63+, close to MS64, and tied for CC#1 in the Grellman census.
Estimated Value $1,000-UP.
Ex Anderson Dupont, Stack's 9/24/54:960-Doug Bird 7/87.
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| Realized $2,990 |
