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Sale 54
Lot 128
1795 S-79 R7+ Reeded Edge. PCGS graded VG-10. Plated in Early American Cents, Penny Whimsy, the Noyes book, Breen, Judd, and Wayte Raymond’s Standard Catalog of United States Coins. Glossy medium brown. Covered with many small, light nicks, but none of these marks is significant or distracting. The best identifying marks are a dull rim nick under the 7, a tiny rim nick opposite the upper lip, and a very light rim bruise at F in OF. The date and legends are strong and clear, except for OF, which is not as strongly struck as the other details. Struck very slightly off center to K-3, but the beaded border device remains comfortably on the planchet on both sides. The reverse is rotated about 25 degrees CCW from normal head-to-foot orientation. The edge reeding is clear and relatively strong except for the area over S-OF-A, where it is weak or missing. The reason for the reeded edge is a matter of speculation. Walter Breen called the reeding "an experiment which proved to be a needless frill, adding to the cost of manufacture without compensatory advantage." Whatever the actual reason, the S-79 die variety is undoubtedly an official mint product since the reverse die was used to produce 6 different 1796 Draped Bust varieties (Sheldon numbers 106 through 111). The obverse die, however, was used only in this short-lived S-79 marriage. Arguably the most famous and eagerly sought variety in the entire series of US large cents and the undisputed "key" to completing a collection of the numbered Sheldon die varieties of early large cents, 1793-1814. Finest of 7 known with 2 additional examples rumored to exist but highly doubtful. Called VG8 and finest known in both census lists, Noyes photo #21005. Our grade is VG8. The currently accepted condition census for these 7 examples is 8-7-6-5-4-1-X (the Basal State-1 is a heavily corroded piece discovered in 2009 and the "X" represents a holed obverse brockage strike that is confirmed but its current location is unknown). The VG7 in this census is impounded in the ANS Museum, so the next best available to collectors is the corroded and rather ugly G6. The G4 example brought $402,500.00 as lot #1143 in the 11/20/2008 auction conducted by Bowers & Merena in Baltimore, and portions of the legend on that example were missing due to extremely heavy wear. The obverse of the example offered here is plated in Early American Cents, and both sides are illustrated in Penny Whimsy and in the Noyes book. Also plated in the 18th edition of Wayte Raymond's Standard Catalog of United States Coins, the Judd book on U.S. pattern coinage, and in Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins. Weight 153.4 grains. PCGS Population 1; The only one graded at PCGS for the variety. DWH #1748.
Estimated Value $250,000-UP.
Ex Dr. S. T. Millard-B. Max Mehl #34, 3/1915:75-G. Kraft-Robert D. Book 5/1930-George H. Clapp-Howard R. Newcomb, J. C. Morgenthau & Co. #458, 2/45:76-James Kelly FPL #21, Fall 1945 to #23, Spring 1947-Celina Coin Co. #21, 3/47:2037-James Kelly 11/47:927-James Kelly 4/48:1327-Christian M. Petersen-Hollinbeck Coin Co. #166, 10/53:278-Dr. William H. Sheldon 4/19/72-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., 2/23/92-Eric Streiner-Tony Terranova 12/20/93.
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Lot 352
1799 S-189 R2+ Normal Date. NGC graded MS-62 Brown. Plated in Penny Whimsy and Noyes. Very attractive lustrous chocolate and medium brown. The fields and protected areas are covered with satiny mint frost and the eye appeal of this cent is outstanding. There is a touch of very light friction on the highest points of the design and only a few trivial contact marks. These include a thin and very light diagonal nick on the left edge of the cheek and a small, barely visible contact mark on the throat, plus a pinprick on the berry right of the T in CENT. A small arc-shaped planchet void also shows near the dentils left of the first S in STATES, as struck. E-MDS, Breen die state II. The die clashmarks and dull lump over the T in CENT are all clear. There is some weakness in the strike on the lower third of the date and upper third of the reverse, as usual. A fantastic 1799 cent, finest known by a very wide margin. The second best is a VF30 impounded in the ANS Museum, and the next best grades VF25 or VF30 depending on the census list being used. This is the only example of the year, regardless of the die variety, ever assigned a mint state grade by a major grading service. Called AU50 choice and finest known by Noyes and Bland, and those grades were assigned before a layer of wax was removed to expose the underlying frosty mint luster. Noyes photo #20099. Our grade is AU55. Plated to represent the variety in Penny Whimsy and the Noyes book. A highlight of this superb collection and the undisputed key to any "registry" set of mint state large cents. This coin is now in a PCGS graded MS61 Brown. PCGS population 1; Finest graded at PCGS. DWH #2825.
Estimated Value $250,000-UP.
Ex England-A. H. Baldwin (A. H. Baldwin & Sons, Ltd., London)-brought to the United States in the late 1920’s, and traded to Frank H. Shumway-Elmer S. Sears-Wayte Raymond 10/28-Henry C. Hines-Dr. William H. Sheldon 1945-Harold E. Whiteneck (Sheraton Coin Co.)-1947 ANA (Numismatic Gallery #40), lot 851-Harold E. Whiteneck (Sheraton Coin Co.)-Dr. James O. Sloss 9/58-R. E. Naftzger, Jr. 2/23/92-Eric Streiner-Jay Parrino (The Mint) 4/16/96-Jack Wadlington (via Bob Grellman & Chris McCawley) 11/7/05.
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Lot 531
1804 S-266c R2. PCGS graded MS-63 Brown. Sheldon Plate Coin. Glossy medium brown and chocolate with darker steel toning in the field before the face and on the right edge of the reverse and frosty lighter brown toning covering the protected areas on both sides. A few very light vertical hairline scratches are located on the cheek and neck and a shallow pinprick shows in the field left of the upper end of the hair ribbon. There are traces of very shallow verdigris or crud around AMERICA plus a patch of extremely fine reddish roughness above TA in STATES and another in the leaves under the F in OF. Otherwise the surfaces are free of friction or other defects and the eye appeal is excellent. Sharply struck LDS, Breen state IV, with strong cud breaks over RTY and MERIC. The obverse fields are slightly reflective. Called MS60 net AU50 and finest known in both census lists, but this assessment was made before a thick layer of natural oxidation was carefully removed to uncover the underlying luster and bring out the real beauty of this outstanding cent. Our grade is AU58. This is the only 1804 cent awarded a mint state grade by any of the major grading services. As such, it is an essential part of any registry set of mint state large cents. The obverse is illustrated in Early American Cents, and both sides are plated in Penny Whimsy. Noyes photo #21370. PCGS Population 1; The finest of 3 graded at PCGS for the variety. DWH #2829.
Estimated Value $100,000-UP.
Ex William T. R. Jester-Thomas L. Elder 12/1914:13-Henry C. Hines-Dr. William H. Sheldon 1945-Sheraton Coin Co.-1947 ANA Sale, Numismatic Gallery #40, lot 882-Harold E. Whiteneck (Sheraton Coin Co.)-Copley Coin Co.-E. A. Rice-R. McAusland-Willard C. Blaisdell 2/16/75-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., 2/23/92-Eric Streiner-Jay Parrino (The Mint) 4/16/96-Jack Wadlington (via Bob Grellman & Chris McCawley) 6/30/05.
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Lot 24
1793 S-14 R5- Liberty Cap with Bisected Obverse. PCGS graded AU-53. Noyes Plate Coin. Glossy light bluish steel brown and chocolate with lots of frosty light brown toning in protected areas, especially on the obverse. There are a couple faint hints of very faded mint color remaining on the reverse. The only notable defects are a small spot of reddish corrosion on the base of the left end of the bust above the 17 and extremely faint horizontal hairlines that cover the lower half of the obverse, plus a thin, light nick under the R in AMERICA. Otherwise the planchet and surfaces are smooth and the fields are slightly reflective giving this cent excellent eye appeal. LDS, Breen state III, with a slight but clear wave in the die at NT in CENT. Called EF45 and CC#1 in the Noyes and Bland census lists, Noyes photo #20097. Our grade is EF45. This is the plate coin for the variety in the Noyes book. PCGS Population 1; The finest graded at PCGS for the variety. WH #2695.
Estimated Value $100,000-UP.
Ex England-unknown (possibly Dr. William H. Sheldon)-Q. David Bowers-Lester Merkin-Charles Jay, Stack’s 10/27/67:91 (as "Uncirculated")-unknown-Tony Terranova-Herman Halpern 12/11/86-R. E. Naftzger, Jr. 2/23/92-Eric Streiner-Jay Parrino (The Mint) 5/96-Jack Wadlington (via Bob Grellman & Chris McCawley) 6/30/05.
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Lot 3
1793 S-2 R4+ Chain AMERICA. PCGS graded MS-63 Brown. Noyes Plate Coin. Frosty medium brown with darker steel brown toning on the highpoints. The surfaces are lustrous and show only a trace of very light friction on the highest points. The only marks are a thin nick-like planchet void in the field under the chin, a tiny nick on the bottom of the 7 in the date, and microscopic roughness caused by tiny planchet flakes in the field off the bust tip. Late die state, Breen state II, with clear die clashmarks on the obverse and slightly wavy fields on that side. Called AU55 and tied for CC#2 in the Bland and Noyes census lists, Noyes photo #20047. Our grade is AU55. This is the plate coin for the variety in the Noyes book, and this cent was plated on the front and back covers of the catalog of the Floyd T. Starr collection, Stack’s 6/13/84. Outstanding luster and eye appeal, very close to mint state. PCGS Population 1; The only example graded at PCGS for the variety. DWH #2690.
Estimated Value $150,000-UP.
Ex H. W. Taffs-Glendining & Co., Ltd (London) #10, 11/1956:506-Spink & Son, Ltd. (London)-New Netherlands Coin Co. #50, 12/7/57:880-Floyd T. Starr, Stack’s 6/13/84:2-Herman Halpern 12/11/86-R. E. Naftzger, Jr. 2/23/92-Eric Streiner-Jay Parrino (The Mint) 4/16/96-Jack Wadlington (via Bob Grellman & Chris McCawley) 6/30/05.
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Lot 1
1793 S-1 R4 Chain AMERI. PCGS graded AU-58. Beautiful glossy chocolate brown with bluish steel overtones in the fields and peeps of original mint red in protected areas on both sides. The fields are smooth and prooflike with all the fine details needle-sharp thanks to the very early die state. Just a hint of very light friction on the highest points of the hair from mint state. This cent offers outstanding eye appeal and the color is about the most attractive you will ever encounter on a 1793 Chain Cent. There are a few minor contact marks, including a thin diagonal nick on the 3 plus two smaller ones above the 3, plus a dull horizontal nick-like mark on the cheek just left of the mouth, as struck, and a pair of faint parallel diagonal hairline scratches on the forehead. The reverse is nearly pristine, the only notable defect being a small planchet chip below the O in OF, and this chip contains traces of dark planchet impurity in its bottom, as struck. EDS, Breen state I, before the small bulge forms under the 1 in the date. A sharp, very attractive cent, and the eye appeal is enhanced by the reflective fields and traces of original mint color. Graded AU50 by Noyes and Bland, and tied for CC#3 in both census lists (Noyes photo #28733). Removed from an NGC slab graded MS62 Brown (NGC label included). Our grade is AU55. A beautiful example of this American numismatic classic. PCGS Population 1; 1 in 61 at PCGS for the variety. A total of 2 pieces graded at PCGS. DWH #2413.
Estimated Value $100,000-UP.
Ex Europe-Sotheby Parke Bernet #3695, 11/1974:59-Mike Brownlee-Kenneth Goldman-Julian Leidman and Stanley Kesselman-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., 12/11/86-Herman Halpern, Stack's 3/16/88:1-Tony Terranova-Bowers & Merena FPLs 1988 & 1989-Kenneth Goldman and Tony Terranova-Martin Paul (The Rarities Group)-Heritage 10/90:452-Martin Haber (South Miami Rare Coins)-Tony Terranova-Dr. Haig Koshkarian, American Numismatic Rarities (ANR) 3/9/2004:7 (via Tony Terranova) 4/04.
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Lot 349
1799/8 S-188 R4 Overdate 9 over 8. PCGS graded EF-45. Slightly sharper with some faint hairline scratches across the date, traces of extremely fine roughness on both sides, and some very shallow and barely visible verdigris at D-ST. The other notable marks are a very light rim bruise left of the lower end of the hair ribbon, a couple tiny pinpricks in the field close to the tip of the bust, and a very light scuff on the rim over the second T in STATES. None of these marks is distracting and the overall eye appeal of this cent is excellent. Lightly cleaned and nicely retoned glossy dark steel brown and chocolate. M-LDS, Breen state III. Called VF35 and tied for second finest known honors in the Bland census. Noyes says EF40 net VF25 and tied for CC#3, his photo #27883. Our grade is VF30. The CC#2 piece in the Noyes census is a net VF30 in the ANS Museum, which leaves only one example superior to this piece available to collectors. Comes with an impressive, old provenance. PCGS Population 1; The finest of two examples graded at PCGS for the variety. DWH #2678.
Estimated Value $50,000-UP.
Ex E. F. Kuithan-Ed Frossard #30, 6/1883:255-Dr. George W. Massamore for T. Harrison Garrett-Robert Garrett 1919-John Work Garrett-Johns Hopkins University, Bowers & Ruddy 11/28/79:92-Denis Loring 3/80-Norman W. Pullen 4/81-George Cores-Tom Reynolds 7/30/93-Denis Loring (via Robert W. Everett) 10/94-Allan J. Kollar, McCawley & Grellman Auctions/Superior 5/29/05:1020.
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Lot 455
1802 S-234 R3 The "Dripping Paint" variety. PCGS graded MS-67 Red & Brown. Noyes Plate Coin. Highly lustrous bluish steel brown with faded mint red covering about 25% of the obverse, only traces of mint color remaining on the reverse. No spots or stains, only a light nick on the shoulder and a tiny hairline scratch in the drapery above the 2 from flawless. MDS, Breen die state IV. There is a shallow retained cud break over the B in LIBERTY but crumbling has not formed on the lower leaf below CA in AMERICA. Called MS65 "gem" and finest known in both census lists, Noyes photo #21323. Our grade is MS65. A fabulous gem cent with outstanding eye appeal. Plated in the Noyes book to illustrate the variety. Frequently exhibited at ANA Conventions many years ago by Howard Newcomb, who considered this to be "the most beautiful early cent." In the Newcomb sale catalog written by James G. Macallister, he said, "We could write a full page and not do justice to the beauty of this cent." That sentiment certainly holds true today. In fact, this piece is a serious candidate for the finest Draped Bust large cent of any date or variety. PCGS Population 1; The only example graded at PCGS for the variety. DWH #2828.
Estimated Value $50,000-UP.
Ex Howard R. Newcomb, J. C. Morgenthau & Co. Sale #458, 2/1945:366-T. James Clarke 1950-Dr. William H. Sheldon 4/19/72-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., 2/23/92-Eric Streiner-Jay Parrino (The Mint)-McCawley & Grellman Auctions/Superior 2000 ANA Money Show 3/2/2000:83-Jack Wadlington (via Bob Grellman & Chris McCawley) 11/7/05.
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Lot 95
1794 S-59 R3-. PCGS graded MS-66 Red & Brown. Noyes Plate Coin. A fantastic gem in all respects! Highly lustrous mint red fading to light bluish steel brown, about 20% of the mint color remaining. No spots, stains, contact marks, or friction. Satiny mint frost covers even the highest points of the design. The only flaws, if they can be called that, are some microscopic planchet chips that didn’t completely strike out around the date and near the dentils left of the date, all as struck. M-LDS, Breen die state V, with a clear die crack arcing through the fraction and adjacent A in AMERICA to the dentils over that C. Tied for finest known honors as MS65 in both census lists with the other "Oswald" example, although Noyes calls this one a "gem" and the other one a slightly less desirable "choice." Our grade is MS65+. Certainly one of the finest 1794 cents of any die variety. This is the Noyes plate coin for the variety, his photo #20825. PCGS Population 1; The only one graded at PCGS for the variety. DWH #2819.
Estimated Value $100,000-UP.
Ex Major Sir Rowland Denys Guy Winn, M. C., 4th Baron St Oswald, Christie, Manson & Woods Ltd. (London) 10/1964:153-A. H. Baldwin & Sons, Ltd. (London)-Dorothy Paschal-Dr. William H. Sheldon 4/19/72-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., 2/23/92-Eric Streiner-Jay Parrino (The Mint) 4/16/96-Jack Wadlington (via Bob Grellman & Chris McCawley) 11/7/05.
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Lot 7
1793 NC-2 R8+ (Unique) Strawberry Leaf Wreath Cent with ONE CENT Centered. PCGS graded Fair-2. Fairly glossy chocolate and steel brown. The planchet is mostly smooth but does show extremely fine porosity in the fields. The notable marks are a small rim bump at Y, a shallow planchet chip on the rim over the L, a couple fine hairline scratches in the hair under LIB, and a shallow planchet chip at the wreath under AT in STATES. The 17 in the date is mostly clear, but the 93 is faint. The sprig of 3 "strawberry" leaves over the date is visible but not strong. (The type of leaf intended by the engraver is subject to debate, but most references refer to them as strawberry.) LIBERTY is complete and most of the reverse legend is easily readable. The decent surfaces and amount of detail remaining could justify a slightly higher grade, but the grade assigned really doesn't matter much for a unique variety. Called Fair-2 by Noyes and Bland, Noyes photo #20470. Our grade is Fair-2+. Of course this is the plate coin for the variety in all the usual references (the photo in the Breen book does not do the coin justice). Weight 200.7 grains. PCGS Population 1; The only one graded at PCGS for the variety. DWH #1757.
Estimated Value $150,000-UP.
Ex John Meader (taken out of circulation in 1845 and sold prior to 12/21/1868)-Richard B. Winsor-S. H. & H. Chapman 12/1895:823-Sylvester S. Crosby 4/1896-Dr. Thomas Hall 9/7/09-Virgil M Brand 2/7/41-B. G. Johnson (St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.) 9/12/41-James Kelly 1941-Charles M. Williams-Numismatic Gallery #68, 11/50:6-Floyd T. Starr, Stack's 6/13/84:6-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., 2/23/92-Eric Streiner-Jay Parrino (The Mint) 10/7/95-Tony Terranova 10/16/95.
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Lot 9
1793 S-5 R4 Wreath Cent with Large Date and LIBERTY. PCGS graded MS-65 Brown. Choice glossy medium steel brown with smooth, prooflike fields on both sides and traces of bluish steel overtone in the fields and protected areas. No spots or stains, and the only contact mark is a very light and barely visible dull diagonal hairline scratch on the cheek under the eye. The best identifying marks are a tiny planchet chip on the rim opposite the chin and a microscopic chip in the field midway between the center of the neck and the dentils at the right, both as struck. None of these defects is visible without a strong glass and the eye appeal of this cent is outstanding. The reverse is gem. Sharply struck EDS, Breen state I. The dentils over LIBERTY do not show any trace of crumbling and the fields are reflective. Called MS65 and second finest in the Noyes census. Bland says MS61 and tied for second finest. Our grade is MS63 prooflike. Removed from an NGC slab graded SPECIMEN-65 BN (NGC label included, and the label shows the S-5 attribution and their assessment that this is a Specimen strike). The reverse is plated in The United States Coinage of 1793 by Sylvester S. Crosby (1897). DWH #2482.
Estimated Value $150,000-UP.
Ex W. F. Johnson 6/1892-Dr. Thomas Hall-W. S. Sisson, Henry Chapman 4/1916:988-Wayte Raymond (The United States Coin Co.)-Henry C. Hines 1945-Dr. William H. Sheldon 4/19/72-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., New Netherlands Coin Co. 11/1973:326-Stack's-unknown-Stack's 10/90:1591-Tony Terranova-Stack's-Larry Stack-Stack's/American Numismatic Rarities auction 6/26/04:4028 (unsold)-Stack's (privately, via Chris McCawley) 7/8/04.
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Lot 5
1793 S-3 R3- Chain AMERICA. PCGS graded MS-63 Brown. Levick Plate Coin. Lustrous uniform chocolate brown. A very attractive Chain Cent with choice surfaces and a flawless planchet. Satiny mint frost covers the protected areas on the reverse. There is a touch of friction on the highest points of the portrait while the reverse is virtually pristine and offers choice mint state eye appeal. The only marks are a tiny rim bruise under the 7 in the date and a dull pinprick low on the neck. Late die state, Breen state III, with strong die clashmarks on the obverse and subtle die bulges on the reverse. Called EF45 and tied for CC#6 in the Bland census. Noyes says AU55 net EF45 and tied for CC#6, but he does not list a photo of the coin and may not have seen it other than in a plated auction catalog. Our grade is AU50+, close to AU55. The obverse of this cent was pictured on the Crosby-Levick Plate of 1793 Cents published in the April 1869 issue of the American Journal of Numismatics. PCGS Population 5; 1 in 64 Brown; 1 in 65 Brown; 1 in 67 Brown. DWH #3532.
Estimated Value $150,000-UP.
Ex Colin Lightbody, Edward Cogan 12/1866:536-Mortimer Livingston Mackenzie, Edward Cogan 6/1869:624 (the first plated American auction catalog, a very significant milestone as it set a new standard that allowed collectors to better trace the pedigree of significant pieces such as this cent)-L. Bayard Smith-unknown-Arthur L. Gray-Ted & Arthur Brandts (Celina Coin Co.)-T. James Clarke 10/54-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., Abe Kosoff 4/56:4-Stack’s-Dorothy Nelson, Stack’s 2/76:3-Ed Hipps, Steve Ivy Numismatic Auctions 11/78:7-Robert E. Bender-1988 ANA Sale, Heritage 8/88:3-Tony Terranova-Kevin Lipton-Stack’s-unknown-American Numismatic Rarities 7/25/2003:105-Stack’s 7/27/08:1074-Steve Contursi (Rare Coin Wholesalers) 1/2009 (via Chris McCawley).
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