107 / 280
105
Equal Second Finest S-125 Rarity
Double Struck S-126
100
1797 S-125 R5. PCGS graded EF-40.
CAC APPROVED
. Frosty
medium steel brown and light chocolate blending to medium
chocolate brown in protected areas. Smooth and quite attractive,
especially for this tough die variety. The only defects are some
microscopic pre-striking planchet chips, mostly in the field be-
hind the head and around the wreath ribbon, and a pair of tiny
diagonal nicks over the N in ONE. MDS, Breen state II, showing
obvious die clashmarks and bulges on the obverse. Graded VF20
and CC#2 in the Noyes census, his photo #21448. Bland has not
seen this cent.
Our grade is VF25.
The finest in either census
grades VF25, and this piece looks every bit as nice. The attribu-
tion and Naftzger-Reynolds provenance are noted on the
PCGS Secure label.
Pop 1; none finer at PCGS for the
variety (PCGS # 35915)
Estimated Value............................. $10,000-UP
Ex Hollinbeck Kagin Coin Co. 3/1956-R. E.
Naftzger, Jr. (via Bill Noyes) 8/2003 (the Naf-
tzger collection envelope is included).
101
1797 S-126 R3. PCGS graded AU-55.
CAC APPROVED
. Frosty steel brown and
chocolate with slightly darker steel brown toning on the devices. Another smooth,
choice cent with just a touch of friction on the highpoints. The only marks, and they
are trivial, are a very tiny chip on the throat and a barely visible rim nick over the I in
UNITED. EDS but not quite the earliest state, Breen state II, with very light clashmarks
on the obverse but no die cracks. This cent was clearly double struck but the offset
between impressions was no more than the width of a dentil. The extra impression
is visible on both sides, but it is clearest on the reverse where every device is sharply
doubled. Graded AU50 Choice and tied for CC#3 honors in the Noyes census (although
he graded it MS60 in his 1991 census), his photo #21404. Bland says EF45 and CC#5.
Our grade is EF45+ choice, very close to AU50.
The reverse of this cent is plated in
Dr. Sheldon’s
Early American Cents
.
The attribution and Naftzger-Reynolds provenance
are noted on the PCGS Secure label.
Pop 2; 2 finer in AU58 at PCGS for the variety
(PCGS # 35918)
Estimated Value.................................................................................................... $7,500-UP
Ex David Proskey-Henry C. Hines-Dr. William H. Sheldon 4/19/1972-R. E. Naftzger, Jr.,
2/23/1992-Eric Streiner 7/1992 (Naftzger collection envelope included).