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Sale 7
Lot 1394
1793 S-9 PCGS GRADED MS68 BROWN. PCGS graded MS-68 Brown. Here is one of the very finest known of this popular variety. The monumental grade awarded by PCGS is simply amazing. This isn't some Morgan dollar that somehow survived in pristine condition over decades from a hoard of tens of thousands, this is a 1793 Wreath Cent in absolutely superb condition. Satiny brown luster throughout, the color is a medium chocolate brown, evenly toned on both sides. As to the surfaces, well, the grade says it all, they are virtually perfect. It is a certainty that this coin was carefully preserved from the day it was struck. It is incomprehensible to think that a coin like this could be found today without some signs of handling. One must stand in awe of this piece.
Of course the strike is full and complete, with each tiny stand of hair crisply defined on Liberty, as are the tiny dentils at the edge. Similar on the reverse, the leaf veins pop out from the centers of each leaf, and a fine die crack bisects the reverse. The large and cumbersome bow at the base of the wreath is a diagnostic to the variety. Completely free of spots or other unwanted signs of age.
While many coins may be high up in their own particular condition census, it is rare that we have a chance to offer so many extremely famous rarities in such superlative condition. With the active coin market of the 1990s, a large number of superb collections were finally brought to the market. Some of these coins are still floating around, most of which disappeared again deep into collections, a few were off the market for the last eight years and have now resurfaced. Don't expect these superb gem pieces to be around when you want one in the next few decades, they'll be long gone and may not be seen again in our lifetimes. As more and more collectors specialize in certain areas of collecting, coins like this become impossible to locate as they are needed by date, type and variety collectors alike. There is no large floating supply of 1793 cents, no big hoards were discovered, no kegs lying under some railway station, no hidden boxes of 1793s awaiting discovery, no shipwreck to recover to give collectors a reasonable chance at obtaining one of these numismatic classics. Thus, we must play what we are dealt, and here is one of the foremost opportunities to purchase a superbly preserved 1793 large cent that will ever come to market.
Estimated Value $150,000-UP.
From the collection of Howard R. Newcomb, lot 8; Starr Collection, lot 13; Roy E. Naftzger; Jay Parrino ("The Mint") to our present consigner.
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| Realized $143,750 |
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