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Finest Known 1798 S-170
169
1798 S-170 R3 Style II Hair, Small 8. PCGS graded MS-62+ Brown.
Lustrous olive brown and
steel with traces of mellowed mint red remaining on both sides, particularly on the reverse where
at least 5% of the surface displays mint color. The surfaces are satiny and the eye appeal is outstand-
ing. The notable marks are a small pit-like planchet void on the jaw, a smaller one on the lower part
of the neck, and a few more at the bust tip, plus a nick-like planchet chip low on the neck. Sharply
struck except for weakness on the bust tip and lower part of the 98 with similar weakness on the
opposing area at OF and the leaves below. E-MDS Breen state II. There are die clashmarks on both
sides but no cracks, and the reverse is rotated 25 degrees CCW. Graded MS63 Choice and CC#1 by
23 points over the second finest example in the Noyes census, his photo #20475. Bland says MS61
and CC#1 by 16 points over the second-best example. Obviously this is the only mint state example
known of the die variety.
Our grade is MS60+
. Comes with a great provenance, which you would
expect. The attribution and Naftzger-Reynolds provenance are noted on the PCGS Secure label.
Pop
1; none finer at PCGS for the variety
(PCGS # 36080)
Estimated Value ......................................................................................................................$20,000-UP
Ex Virgil M. Brand-New Netherlands Coin Co. (privately) 1/5/1952-C. Douglas Smith 12/1956-Doro-
thy Paschal-Dr. William H. Sheldon 4/19/1972-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., 2/23/1992-Eric Streiner-Tony Ter-
ranova 4/1992 (Naftzger collection envelope included).