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102
Breen Plate Coin For S-121b Gripped Edge
97
1797 S-121b R3- Reverse of 1795, Gripped Edge. PCGS graded MS-63
Brown.
CAC APPROVED
.
Frosty medium steel brown and light chocolate.
A very attractive cent, a few trivial spots from choice. The notable marks are
a speck of reddish carbon at a dentil tip under the bust, a couple faint spots
under the L in LIBERTY, and a spot of reddish toning at the leaf tip under ER
in AMERICA. LDS, Breen state V. All the die cracks described by Breen are
clear, including the one through the 797 and bust to the dentils off the chin.
This cent is the plate coin for the variety in the Breen encyclopedia and is one
of only 2 known in mint state. Graded MS60 and CC#2 in the Noyes census,
his photo #22929. Bland says MS60 and tied for CC#1.
Our grade is MS60+
.
The third finest grades either AU50 or EF45 depending on the census list you
prefer, and it is impounded in the ANS. So if you want a mint state Gripped
Edge 1797 cent, your options are extremely limited. According to the census
lists, you have three from which to choose (one S-120b and two S-121b).
And two of the three are in this sale. The attribution and Naftzger-Reynolds
provenance are noted on the PCGS Secure label.
Pop 1; none finer at PCGS
for the variety (PCGS # 35903)
Estimated Value ................................................................................ $30,000-UP
Ex England-Dr. James O. Sloss 9/1958-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., Abe Kosoff
10/1959:34-Stack’s-Doris E. Nelson-Toby and Doris E. (Nelson) Szyman-
ski (the “TAD” Collection Sale), Stack’s 2/6/1976:31-R. E. Naftzger, Jr.,
3/7/1976-C. Douglas Smith-Dr. Robert A. Schuman, McCawley & Grellman
Auctions/Superior 9/5/2004:291.