137 / 280
135
Finest 1798 S-157
143
1798 S-157 R2 Style I Hair, Small 8. PCGS graded MS-64 Brown.
Very attractive lustrous medium brown and tan with slightly darker
steel brown toning on the highest points of the devices plus a few
small puffs of similar toning scattered over the obverse. Faint traces
of faded mint color can be found on both sides and this cent offers
excellent eye appeal. The best identifying marks are an indistinct puff
of dark steel brown toning under the earlobe and a microscopic tick
on the bottom of the T in LIBERTY. Very late die state (VLDS), Breen
state IV late. Both dies were heavily rusted, especially the reverse
where the devices inside the wreath are weak and distorted. The rust
on the right half of the obverse is severe as well. This is the plate coin
for the variety in the Noyes reference. Graded MS62 Choice and CC#1
in the Noyes census, his photo #20287. Bland says MS60 and tied for
CC#1.
Our grade is MS60+
. The attribution and Naftzger-Reynolds
provenance are noted on the PCGS Secure label.
Pop 1; none finer at
PCGS for the variety
(PCGS # 36035)
Estimated Value .................................................................. $35,000-UP
Ex Dr. George P. French, B. Max Mehl 1929 FPL, lot 196-Henry A.
Sternberg 8/1930-T. James Clarke 1944-B. Max Mehl-Dr. William H.
Sheldon 4/19/1972-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., 2/23/1992-Eric Streiner-Tony Ter-
ranova 4/1992 (includes the Naftzger collection envelope, but it lists an
inaccurate provenance).