Gem Red Booby Head *Update, True-View added*
renomedphys
Posts: 3,607 ✭✭✭✭✭
Just picked off the only coin I wanted from the Stacks Bowers Rarities Night auction. I think a happy dance is in order 🥳
New PCGS True-View
New Big Photos 😎
This was lot number 11, and my bid on this coin was the first active bid in the auction. Everything else before and immediately after went for opening bid. I only hang out for the copper, and the only other coin that even had a live bid was lot 18, a 1915 MPL in 67RB. In a bizarre twist, I'm actually happy it went for this price rather than my opening bid of $15K. It sold in 2008 for $29.9k and again in 2014 for $28.5k and I just wouldn't feel right if it went for way under those numbers.
Tom Reynolds looked at this coin for me and told me it was the real deal. Said it was unquestionably red and original. He graded it EAC 65+++ which I thought was hyperbole, but he said those plusses all mean something. Okay. Regardless he ensures me that I will like the coin. Just to be clear, I am not in the habit of spending this kinda money on a coin that I have not personally viewed, but in this case I like what I see and hear. I will update once I get it in hand, which I will try to expedite as the Summer FUN is fast approaching.
Anyway, my plan is to submit this coin to PCGS for cross. Failing that, I will specify a minimum grade of 64RD. Failing that, I will keep it as it is as part of my ever fluctuating secret inventory. Regardless, I'm keeping it!
Comments
Would like to see a video of your “happy” dance!
“The thrill of the hunt never gets old”
PCGS Registry: Screaming Eagles
Copperindian
Retired sets: Soaring Eagles
Copperindian
Very nice, congrats.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
Nice booby!
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
Collector of Liberty Seated Half Dimes, including die pairs and die states
Actually Matt - that’s a real RD beauty - CONGRATS!
Ken
“The thrill of the hunt never gets old”
PCGS Registry: Screaming Eagles
Copperindian
Retired sets: Soaring Eagles
Copperindian
Just, wow! What a superb example of a very popular large cent - congratulations!
Love it!
Smitten with DBLCs.
A tad out of my range, but I’m happy for ya! A beauty.
WTB: Barber Quarters XF
Wow, hope it grades 65+ a top pop. Congrats.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
Just beautiful. 😍
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
Some amazing eye appeal you got there
great looking coin - congrats!
Fabulous color on that 1839, a rare beauty for sure!
I was watching the.first 40 or so lots last night/afternoon (I bought the 1836 half cent), and also noticed the lack of live bidding.
I guess most other bidders are doing what I now do - put in a proxy bid ahead of time and maybe also ‘watch the action.’
Anyway, congrats on your winning bid, on a winner of a coin!
30+ years coin shop experience (ret.) Coins, bullion, currency, scrap & interesting folks. Loved every minute!
Gorgeous coin , congratulations !
Beautiful LC. I will defer to Tom Reynolds opinion on this cent. I guess it would likely cross at PCGS as a 64RD. Top shelf!
Nice!
Great looking coin, it will be interesting to see what an EAC 65++++ translates to at PCGS.
Beautiful coin! If that one doesn't get 64RD (maybe even a +) from our hosts I'd be very surprised.
Beautiful - congrats!
I am a newer collector (started April 2020), and I primarily focus on U.S. Half Cents and Type Coins. Early copper is my favorite.
The coin was previously in a PCGS 64 RD holder. That doesn’t mean it’s a lock to get it back in of course, but pretty likely. As for 65, my guess is that it’s already been tried a few times at PCGS. Purely speculation on my part though. And as we know, persistence can pay off.
Stunning example. I'd be very happy too.
Dave
Helluva coin!
Congrats!! 🍾🎈
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
Wow! Simply gorgeous!! I defer to Tom's opinion too...
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Congratulations on your "Booby Prize" (or Prize Booby) what an amazing coin.
What a beautiful coin. Your a lucky guy to own it.
Student of numismatics and collector of Morgan dollars
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Magnificent!
Happy Dance indeed
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #242
If Tom Reynolds likes a copper at a particular grade, you don't have to see it yourself. Pic looks gorgeous. That said, being the paranoid person I am, I won't buy a RD old copper unless it's in an OGH. The only RD copper I have is an 09 P IHC, it's a 5 RD, and in an OGH.
"Seu cabra da peste,
"Sou Mangueira......."
What an extremely nice coin!
I've dealt with Tom for over 25 years and I have relied on his opinions many times. Having said that, Tom has also remarked to me that he prefers MS BRN Large Cents over RD, mainly because of the possibility that RD ones might "turn" over time. Indeed, I experienced the loss of value when trying to cross a RD 1855 Large Cent from NGC over to PCGS.
In my opinion, this coin is nicely-struck and should be able to make the cross-over but I would always have some concern about the fingerprints and the effects of any residual oils from the fingerprints or the minor spotting seen in the enlarged photos.
On the plus side, where are you going to find that coin so well-preserved? Probably nowhere in this lifetime. Congratulations on a savvy acquisition.
I knew it would happen.
Well, for whatever it’s worth right now, Tom told me that at first he was skeptical of the color, kind of a knee-jerk reaction to it being SO RED. But the more he looked at it, the more it seemed legitimate. This played largely into my decision to bid.
I was unaware at the time that this was actually the same coin that sold at Heritage in a PCGS MS64RD holder in 2008 for $29,900 until @Walkerguy21D pointed it out to me. I had looked at the coin before I bid but assumed it was different, and remarked to myself that there must be another REALLY RED example out there in PCGS plastic, but I guess there isn’t.
Annoyingly, the 2008 cert # is still active, so the pop report is wrong. I would really like to straighten that out, as the implication is that there are really only 3 certified RED examples.
I was able to find a photograph of the N-5 Booby Head that sold at Superior in 2004 over on NNC. Here’s that one:
Doesn’t look really that red to me.
Anyway, I’m picking the coin up at summer FUN. Paid my invoice yesterday. It felt like a lot, but I’m excited to get it and very glad my bids worked out ☺️
Empty Nest Collection
Matt’s Mattes
Great coin!
My 1866 Philly Mint Set
Super nice coin. Congrats.
Okay so as promised I picked up the coin at my next show (the ANA) and submitted it for crossover with a minimum grade of 64 RD. Was super psyched to find out today that it didn’t downgrade! Yay!😁
Empty Nest Collection
Matt’s Mattes
Time for another "Happy Dance"
Congrats
And on to CAC?
Mike
My Indians
Danco Set
I should say that I was really surprised seeing the coin for the first time last week. The luster is absolutely dripping off it. I was told that it looks whizzed, like the look of a whizzed coin the way the surfaces just boom. Of course, it isn’t whizzed. To me it’s like one of those coins that you look at and wonder why it looks so good, and then you look closer, and nothing, just plain old red cent surfaces. Then you back off again and it’s a headlight. I was honestly concerned that maybe PCGS wouldn’t “like” the color. But then again, judging from the 2008 photos and seeing the coin in-hand, the coin hasn’t turned at all. I call it “sweet”
And yes, at earliest convenience I will submit it to CAC. Fingers crossed 🤞🏻
Empty Nest Collection
Matt’s Mattes
Beautiful coin - congrats! Here's the Stacks Bowers video, not of the happy dance, but of the coin's luster: https://youtube.com/watch?v=K6nJx_GoK6U
Always amazes me when a coin turns up after almost 200 years in that condition. Just astounding. Any idea of the provenance?
Matt: forgot about this; thanks for updating us! I hope to see it in hand someday. Maybe FUN?
Ken
“The thrill of the hunt never gets old”
PCGS Registry: Screaming Eagles
Copperindian
Retired sets: Soaring Eagles
Copperindian
Just astounding. Any idea of the provenance?
Sold in the 2008 Heritage auction of the Joshua collection. Surprisingly they didn’t list other owners like they generally do.
Is a 1794 your next target? Don't see that one in your incredible registry set!
"Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"
Another victory! PCGS in their infinite wisdom has decided to do the right thing and de-list the 64 RD (which is this coin) reducing the 64 RD population to 1.
Initially PCGS told me that this was impossible without the little cardboard label, but after asking around at the ANA I was encouraged to refer my request up the ladder. It worked!
Now the entire population of red Boobys (Boobies?) is P64rd, P65rd, and a single 66rd at NGC. I’d love to know what that coin looks like.
Thanks Again, PCGS!
Empty Nest Collection
Matt’s Mattes
I’ve been working on a flat-date 1794 for a while. They are all head of 1793 and I think my choices are limited to S-17a or S-20b to be even remotely findable or affordable. Two really nice ones just crossed the auction block yesterday, both $90K with the juice, so maybe a little bit higher than I’d like to go. Maybe in another year or two I’ll regret letting them pass. Regardless, I’m still a fan of patience and opportunism.
Empty Nest Collection
Matt’s Mattes
Beautiful coin. Congratulations.
Cool story!
Coin Rarities Online
That is incredible!
My YouTube Channel
Great when it all comes together in harmony. Congrats
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@renomedphys
Any thoughts on what might be causing PCGS to see it as a 64 rather than 65 which NGC gave it and more importantly Tom Reynolds opinion?
From the video I would have guessed at least a solid 65. From the still photos I was not sure about the color but liked it much more after seeing the video even though the reverse appears to have mellowed more than the obverse. Mark-wise, the surfaces look like they could be better than a 65.
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"To Be Esteemed Be Useful" - 1792 Birch Cent --- "I personally think we developed language because of our deep need to complain." - Lily Tomlin
No @WinLoseWin, they crossed it at 65! 😁
Here’s the brand new TrueView:
Empty Nest Collection
Matt’s Mattes
This coin is very impressive. You are lucky to have won it and get it crossed to PCGS at MS65RD. When downloading the Max TrueView and zooming, there is no doubt that the strike and surfaces warrant the grade. The last appearance I can find at auction for this coin is HA in 2014 for $28.2K when it was in a NGC holder at the same grade. The provenance only mentions the O'Neal collection.
One of the things in numismatics that has always amazed me in that such a coin can be held somewhere/somehow and stay in such a condition for almost 200 years.
Following is the HA description for the coin from that 2014 auction:
1839 N-13 Cent, MS65 Red
Booby Head
1839 1C Booby Head MS65 Red NGC. N-13, R.2. N-13, R.2. NGC has certified only two 1839 cents as full Red, the present Gem and a solitary MS66. Red and Brown examples are equally rare, with only two Booby Head cents given that color designation by NGC. PCGS has certified two Red Booby Head cents, both graded MS64. Thus, the present coin is the second highest graded full Red Booby Head. The die marriage of the NGC MS66 Red cent is unknown, as it has not appeared at auction.
There are five different design subtypes of 1839 cents. The Plain Cords (N-1) and Head of 1838 (N-2 and N-3) carry over Liberty busts from prior years. The Petite Head (N-8) is the same bust used in 1840. However, the Silly Head and Booby Head were only struck in 1839. The Booby Head is promptly identified by an exposed shoulder corner. The other four 1839 subtypes have a lock of hair around the shoulder tip.
Breen credits Ebenezer Lock Mason, Jr., of Confederate half dollar die fame, as the first numismatist to consistently apply the Silly Head and Booby Head nomenclature. Mason standardized the terms in his June 1868 edition of Coin and Stamp Collector's Magazine. Breen notes that Booby Head was used (with a different meaning) as early as Dickeson's American Numismatic Manual (1859).
The Booby Head Newcomb varieties are among the most difficult to attribute among the middle date cents. N-13 is more readily identified than most, due to a series of spindly die cracks throughout UNITED STATES. That reverse die is also shared with N-15, but a recut lower point on star 12 confirms the N-13 marriage.
This is a gorgeous orange-red Gem. The mint luster is comprehensive and intense. Carbon is surprisingly minimal, and the only hint of toning is a glimpse of steel-blue near star 12. Essentially devoid of marks, and the strike is exemplary. An outstanding type coin that would provide the cornerstone of an advanced large cent collection. Our EAC grade MS60. Census: 1 in 65 Red, 1 finer (3/14).
Ex: Baltimore ANA Signature (Heritage, 7/2008), lot 1511, which realized $29,900.
From The Jim O'Neal Collection of U.S. Type, Part One.(Registry values: P1)
** The last appearance I can find at auction for this coin is HA in 2014 for $28.2K when it was in a NGC holder at the same grade. The provenance only mentions the O'Neal collection.**
As I mentioned earlier, the coin sold via heritage in 2008 as part of the Joshua Collection. Prior to that I haven’t found anything. Newcomb lists several ms 67 coins, but they are supposedly N7s, and I think this an N11.
That’s a solid TrueView. Jim O’Neal had some nice coins. Congratulations.
"Look up, old boy, and see what you get." -William Bonney.