NNP

1794 C-1a Large Edge Letters R3. PCGS graded MS-64+ Brown. Choice glossy bluish steel brown with generous traces of faded mint red in protected areas on both sides. No spots, stains, or contact marks. The only defects are the microscopic planchet chips found on these early half cents, and on this example they are mostly in the field before the portrait. In addition there is a shallow planchet flake that affects the right side of E in LIBERTY, and this is the best identifying mark for the obverse. The reverse shows a short arc of impressed dentils near the leaves over HALF, also as struck, suggesting a possible undertype strike. MDS, Manley state 2.0, with minor die clashmarks on both sides. The repunching on the 179 is obvious. Our grade is MS63. Tied for finest known honors, and this is the first example listed in the Breen/Hanson condition census for the variety. Plated on page 45 (to illustrate the uncirculated grade) and on page 90 (for the unclashed die state I, even though this piece clearly fits his state II) in the Breen encyclopedia. Weight 100.9 grains. The attribution and Missouri Cabinet provenance are shown on the PCGS label. PCGS population 1; the finest graded for the variety. (PCGS # 35018) Estimate Value $50,000 - UP Ex (probably earlier from B. G. Johnson consigned to Celina Coin in 1944 as "Unc with much original red and sharp wire edge") Hans Moritz Friedrich Schulman 1958 (privately)-Philip M. Showers, Stack's 1969 (privately)-Willis H. duPont-Fred S. "Freddy" Werner 2/1976-Superior Stamp and Coin Company, Inc., 2/1976-Joe Flynn and Son Rare Coins, Inc. (Joseph S. Flynn, Jr.) 4/20/1976 (privately)-R. Tettenhorst-EPNNES-Missouri Cabinet (Mocab 94.1a.2).

Price Realized: $63250

Images and description courtesy of Ira and Larry Goldberg Coins and Collectibles, Los Angeles, CA.

From Goldberg's sale of the Missouri Cabinet Collection, 1/26/2014, lot 7.