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119
The Newcomb-Downing S-144
122
1798 S-144 R5+. PCGS graded VG-8.
CAC APPROVED
. At-
tractive glossy light to medium chocolate brown fading to darker
chocolate brown in protected areas. The planchet appears to be
perfectly smooth to the unaided eye, but a strong glass reveals
extremely fine granularity in protected areas. No verdigris, and
the notable marks are a very shallow dent on the chin, a vertical
scratch from the O in ONE to the E in CENT, and a collection of
light marks under the E in STATES. E-MDS, Breen state II. There
is subtle swelling from the A in STATES to the E in AMERICA
plus a fine die crack from the rim up through the left ribbon end,
stem, and bow to the base of the E in CENT. The date and legends
are strong except for weakness on ONE thanks to the swelling.
Graded VG10 sharpness net VG8 and CC#5 in the Noyes census,
his photo #29798. Bland says VG8 and tied for CC#5.
Our grade
is VG8.
Comes with a great provenance. The attribution and
Newcomb-Reynolds provenance are noted on the PCGS Secure
label.
Pop 1; 1 finer in AU50 at PCGS for the variety. Only 2
examples graded at PCGS (PCGS # 36011)
Estimated Value............................................................ $5,000-UP
Ex Howard R. Newcomb, J. C. Morgenthau & Co. #458,
2/7/1945:178-Dr. William H. Sheldon-Homer K. Downing, 1952
ANA Sale (New Netherlands Coin Co. #38), lot 1785-Willard C.
Blaisdell 1/17/1975-Herbert A. Silberman 11/1977-Chuck Furjan-
ic-Roger S. Cohen, Jr., Superior 2/1992:833 (the Downing collection
pillbox plus the 1952 ANA Sale and 1992 Superior lot tickets are
included).