Lot 19
Cent. 1797. Sheldon-123, Rarity-4. PCGS graded MS-66. Red and Brown. Obverse of 1797, Reverse Stems.A fabulous coin that is one of the very finest known of the Nichols find, one of only 2 graded this high in fact. There are also 2 others graded Mint State 66, but they are fully toned to brown. What is most amazing here is the flawless surfaces. A strong glass is needed to locate any signs of contact, which is unheard of on a coin from this era. Furthermore, there is original mint red glowing up from the fields near the devices, quite a bit of mint red in fact, showing how carefully this coin has been preserved for the past 202 years. Well struck too, with most of the veins in the leaves visible, and only a few showing signs of weakness.
Curiously the obverse die has a small mark on it, which runs horizontally across Liberty's face, just below her eye, this feature is on every coin struck from this obverse die and has the unfortunate appearance of a small bagmark. Little problems like this only add to the charm of early copper, which reflect the challenges of early coinage at the Philadelphia Mint. Here is one of the very finest examples known from this era, and apparently tied for the Finest Known with just one other coin of this important Guide Book type coin.
|
| |
| Realized $18,700 |
