NNP

1856 1/2 C B-3, R.4, PR65 Red and Brown NGC. CAC. Our EAC Grade PR63. The surfaces retain most of the original mint red with occasional dabs of blue-brown in the fields. There are no contact marks or other impairments that one can see with the unaided eye. An excellent representative of this difficult proof type. Variety: B-3. The doubled T in CENT identifies this variety. Population Data (3/15): NGC shows 24 proof 1856 half cents including this example, one PR66 Red and Brown, and one PR67 Brown. Heritage Commentary: This variety, along with the 1852 1-B, the 1841 Original, and the 1833, are the four most commonly encountered proof half cents (if any can be called such). Breen estimates that 200 pieces were struck, and today perhaps as many as 60 may survive in all grades and colors. Provenance: Central States Signature (Heritage, 5/2003), lot 5063.