NNP

1797 C-2 R3. PCGS graded MS-66 Brown. CAC. Highly lustrous bluish steel brown with faint hints of underlying faded mint red. The only defects are a small carbon spot in the field left of the L in LIBERTY and another between the E & N in CENT. Otherwise this piece is an absolute gem. Outstanding eye appeal, possibly the finest known of the variety and one of the most beautiful early half cents we have ever seen. Listed first in the Breen/Hanson condition census in Breen's half cent encyclopedia, page 180. Struck on a flawless planchet that must have been cut from rolled planchet stock rather than from a TAL cent or spoiled large cent. The reverse is rotated 10 degrees CCW. Our grade is MS63. Weight 95.8 grains. The attribution and Missouri Cabinet provenance are shown on the PCGS label. PCGS population 1; the finest graded for the variety. (PCGS # 35104) Estimate Value $50,000 - UP Ex (probably) Dr. Lewis Roper (M. Thomas & Sons 2/20/1851)-Joseph J. Mickley (sold privately as a part of his entire collection) 4/30/1867-William Elliot Woodward, Woodward sale of the Joseph J. Mickley Collection 10/28/1867:2084 ($2.75)-James B. Clemens (privately)-Thomas Cleneay 10/21/1887-Cleneay Estate, S. H. & H. Chapman 12/9/1890:1944 (Plate X) ($40)-John G. Mills, S. H. & H. Chapman 4/29/1904:1410 (Plate XIV) ($66)-Joseph F. Negreen-unknown-George E. Chatillon, B. Max Mehl 11/15/1938:1640 ($55.00)-Samuel Rapoport 1950-Rapoport Estate-B. Max Mehl (privately) 11/1/1950-Harold S. Bareford 4/10/1978-William J. Bareford (son) 6/8/1984 (via Julius "Jules" Reiver)-R. Tettenhorst-Missouri Cabinet (Mocab 97.2.11).

Price Realized: $402500

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 43.