NNP

1884 1C One Cent, Judd-1721, Pollock-1929, R.6, PR67 NGC. CAC. Design. The center of Eastman Johnson's "holey" design for the cent is perforated with an irregular hole. The obverse bears the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA about the upper rim and the date at the bottom. The reverse shows the denomination ONE CENT at the top with an inverted shield and two laurel sprigs below. Struck in nickel with a plain edge. Commentary. Eastman Johnson was an American painter who lived from 1824 to 1906. Perhaps his most famous painting was his "Old Kentucky Home," also known as "Negro Life in the South." His design for the annular cent dates from the late 1870s, and sketches are known dated May 1879. Examples were struck in nickel (Judd-1721), aluminum (Judd-1722), and white metal (Judd-1723). The holes appear to be hand cut and vary in size. When the perforated planchets were struck, metal flowed inward, creating the imperfect outline to the central hole. (About two dozen specimens of Judd-1721 are extant.) There are thick and thin-planchet variants of this pattern. This piece was struck on a thick planchet, and therefore the perforation is larger than on a piece struck on a thin planchet. Physical Description. The design elements of this magnificent Superb Gem are sharply detailed throughout and the pristine fields are hazily reflective. Traces of attractive champagne-gold toning visit the surfaces of both sides, enhancing the considerable eye appeal. An almost unimprovable example of this popular pattern. Census: 2 in 67, 0 finer (3/13). Provenance. "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $22.50; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society. From The Eric P. Newman Collection.

From Newman I (Heritage Auctions, 4/2013), lot 4044, realized $9400.00. Image and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions, https://ha.com.