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139
Finest 1798 S-160
150
1798 S-160 R3 Style I Hair, Small 8. PCGS graded MS-62 Brown.
Frosty
medium brown and steel with several small puffs of darker steel brown
on the obverse and a swipe of similar toning through the E in CENT. The
best identifying mark is a thin, curved planchet void near the dentils left
of the L in LIBERTY (as struck). MDS, Breen state III, with die clashmarks
from dentils off the end of the bust. Shallow low spots cover the bust and
shoulder with similar low spots around the T in CENT, all caused by minor
debris stuck on the dies. Graded MS60 and CC#1 by 15 points over the sec-
ond finest example in the Noyes census, his photo #23077. Bland says MS60
and tied with the ANS coin for finest known honors.
Our grade is MS60
.
A great example of a variety that is extremely difficult to find in high grade.
Plated in both the 1991 Noyes reference and the Breen encyclopedia to
illustrate the variety. A wonderful cent that comes with a nice provenance.
The attribution and Naftzger-Reynolds provenance are noted on the PCGS
Secure label.
Pop 1; none finer at PCGS for the variety. Only 2 examples
graded at PCGS
(PCGS # 36044)
Estimated Value ............................................................................. $25,000-UP
Ex E. Shorthouse (England), S. H. & H. Chapman 12/1889:537-Peter
Mougey-William H. Woodin, Thomas L. Elder #43, 9/1910:34-S. H. Chapman
1912-Dr. Christian A. Allenburger, B. Max Mehl #111, 3/1948:435-Willard C.
Blaisdell 2/1975-Denis Loring 3/1975-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., Auction ‘81 (Stack’s),
lot 1511-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., 3/12/1982-C. Douglas Smith-Dr. Robert A.
Schuman, McCawley & Grellman Auctions/Superior 5/25/2003:450 (Superior
lot ticket included).