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249
The Sheldon-Helfenstein S-266c
299
1804 S-266c R2. PCGS graded AU-53.
Frosty dark chocolate brown and steel with an area of slightly darker olive brown
toning inside the wreath at ON and CEN. The surfaces are smooth except for a trace of microscopic granularity at the E in
LIBERTY with similar roughness in the darker area inside the wreath. There are no notable signs of contact and the eye ap-
peal of this cent remains excellent in spite of the minor surface issues. LDS, Breen state IV, with strong cud breaks at RTY and
MERIC. Graded AU55 net EF40 and tied for CC#5 in the Noyes census his photo #21353. Bland says EF45 and tied for CC#3.
Our grade is AU50 sharpness net EF40
. Another impressive cent with an equally impressive provenance. The attribution
and Naftzger-Reynolds provenance are noted on the PCGS Secure label.
Pop 1; none finer at PCGS for the variety
(PCGS #
36422)
Estimated Value .................................................................................................................................................................$20,000-UP
Ex Dr. William H. Sheldon-Charles Mathewson 1955-Copley Coin Co. 1955-Louis Helfenstein 8/23/1958-C. Douglas Smith-
Herman Halpern 12/11/1986-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., 2/23/1992-Eric Streiner, Bowers & Merena 8/2001:19-Coin & Bullion Reserves
1/2004 (includes the Doug Smith collection envelope on which he states “One of the cleanest and finest 1804’s in existence.”).