Huge offering of Large Cents at ANR
Longacre
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I don't collect large cents, but I wanted to alert those that do to a huge offering of large cents at ANR. I got this announcement via email from ANR (note that I am not the consignor and I don't work for or am otherwise affiliated with ANR).
A Splendid Offering of Large Cents
Emphasis on Middle Dates
Welcome to an extensive offering from a new consignment we recently received of large copper cents, mostly of the “Middle Date” series 1816 to 1839, a popular and rewarding area of specialty. Eye appeal and high quality are the order of the day, and each of these was selected with great care. Enjoy our listing, and pick out one for “type,” or use this to begin a fascinating specialty. The photographs of these Large Cents are not yet on our website, however, if you are interested in a piece please call Andrew Bowers at 1-866-811-1804. He will be happy to send you an image, a sort of "sneak peak" if you will!
1816 Newcomb-2. MS-63 RB (NGC). R-1. Ex B&M’s sale of the Phillip Flannagan Collection, November 2001, Lot 2626, to Tony Terranova, for $1,185. Described as Lot 2636: “1816 N-2. MS-63. Nearly full mint color, barely faded in the obverse fields. The reverse is entirely red and the obverse is perhaps 80% mint color. An outstanding specimen! We’ve seen many 1816 cents in Mint State, but we can never recall seeing one with this much original mint color still remaining, and not stained or spotted. Most contemporaries are from the Randall Hoard, in high grade but not necessarily attractive. The lustre is full and the eye appeal is exemplary. A minor abrasion is noted in the left obverse field and there are a couple of spots on the reverse. An exquisite specimen that stands head and shoulders above the crowd..” Today, several years later this coin is as lovely and desirable as ever. $1,350
1816 N-4. MS-63 BN. R-2 overall, considerably scarcer in full Mint State as here. Above average in striking, all star centers delineated, portrait bold, leaves veined, etc. Some usual lightness at dentils. Warm, lustrous medium-brown color. An ideal coin for anyone who “collects collectors” and enjoys pedigrees, this one having some great names attached to it! Sold a few years back by Tony Terranova for $1,250, earlier in the Bowers and Ruddy Galleries sale of November 10, 1972 (Lot 771), to Robinson S. Brown, Jr., Superior Galleries sale of September 30, 1986 (Lot 442), Herman Halpern, Stack’s sale of March 16, 1988 (Lot 291), J.R. Frankenfield, Julian Leidman, and Tom Reynolds. $1,450
1816 N-9. MS-63 BN (NGC). R-3. Rich and pleasing light brown lustre on both sides. Obverse with needle-sharp portrait. Some usual lightness at stars and border. Reverse well struck and deeply dentiled in most areas; small cud break on rim over TE (STATES). Scarce to begin with, this N-9 adds excellent eye appeal to the equation. This particular variety is decidedly rare in Mint State, with John D. Wright (1992) suggesting just 4 or 5. Today, with current interpretations, there are more than that with such classification, but N-9 remains hard to find. $2,435.
1817 N-2. AU-55. Lustrous medium brown surfaces, smooth and attractive. Typical strike for the variety, bold on most of the portrait (lower curl excepted), somewhat light around the borders. Tiny pinpr. at star 13. Somewhat scarce at this grade level, this coin appeared in Superior’s Pre-Long Beach Sale, October 200, Lot 1235; later was held by Chris Victor-McCawley; then went to a New York City numismatist; and here it is now in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. $1,950.
1817 N-5. MS-61 BN (NGC). R-3. A lovely example of this scarce variety, this N-5 has rich deep brown lustre on both sides. The striking is far finer than usually seen, the only exception worthy of mention being some non-unusual lightness at the top right of the wreath. The collecting of copper cents of the 1816-1820 years makes an interesting sub-set or specialty in its own right, examples being punctuated now and again from pieces from the Randall Hoard (typically with Mint color, but spotted). This cent came from Chris Victor McCawley to a New York numismatist a few years back. $1,750.
1817 N-8. Mouse variety. MS-62 BN (NGC). R-2. A lovely specimen from the Flannagan Collection, there graded AU-55 and captured by Tony Terranova, later to a private collector. Described in the catalogue as: “Superb lustrous chocolate brown and mahogany. Excellent eye appeal and the fields are immaculate. A planchet depression, as struck, is noted near star 5. Late die state with heavy radial erosion lines and the “peeking mouse” die break atop Liberty’s head. A few slide marks may be noted on Liberty’s hair with a glass. An impressively attractive specimen of this popular Mouse variety.” One nice thing about the field of large copper cents is that they tend to stay in numismatic hands, passing from one fine collection, one appreciative owner, to another. $1,280.
In the December 1891 issue of The Numismatist, editor Geo. F. Heath, M.D., ran this item, an early mention of what was undoubtedly the “Mouse Variety” of the 1817 large cent:
“R.A., Dublin…encloses the following from his scrapbook, and desires to know whether it is true or not. Will some of our correspondents give us light on the subject?
“‘Two big copper cents issued in 1817 are among the rarest in the coin collection of the Philadelphia Mint. These have the Liberty Head well defined, but on top of the head over the cap is a small protuberance which, under a microscope, appears as a crown. This was cut in the die by an English engraver, who thus covertly set the British Crown over the American Liberty Head.’”
1817 N-9. Mouse variety. MS-63 BN (NGC). R-2. Another example of one of the most famous issues among copper cents of this era, so called from a die break at the top of the hair of Miss Liberty. Medium glossy brown surfaces on both sides, highly lustrous. In keeping with N-9, the central details on the hair of Miss Liberty and on the wreath are quite sharp. The peripheral details are light, especially on the obverse, from die wear—which, of course, was instrumental in creating the rodent-like break that has attracted so much attention over the years. Ex Tony Terranova and Chris Victor McCawley. $1,700
1817 N-9. MS-62 BN (NGC). R-2. A Mouseless Mouse variety! Early state of the obverse die before the rodent-like die break occurred. If there is a positive aspect to this it is that the early die state is sharper, the field are finer in their plane-ness, and on the present coin the eye appeal is enhanced by rich brown lustre. $845
1817 N-10. MS-62 (BN). R-1. A very well struck piece, obverse and reverse, including star centers, hair, leaves, and dentils. Rich brown lustre with occasional nuances of mint red. Scarce so fine. A coin for the connoisseur. $1,640.
1817 N-11. MS-63 BN (NGC). R-1. Deeply and richly lustrous. Typical die state for N-11, late, and with die granularity on both sides—from a pair that did its duty well. Among coins of these era, such characteristics are often seen on cents and half dollars, but rarely on other denominations. Aspects of die use are not often mentioned in sales descriptions, but we find them to be quite interesting. A nice example of N-11 for the specialist. From Tony Terranova a few years back, at the odd price of $898. $1,120.
1817 N-13. MS-63 BN (NGC). R-1. A richly lustrous cent, so well struck that it could serve as a benchmark as to what details of this design look like! Blended light brown and medium brown tones. Assigned various grades over the years, this lovely coin comes with a pedigree that includes some favorite names in the hobby, including Superior Galleries’ sale of the Robert Matthews Collection, May 1989, Lot 553 (as MS-60); earlier in Stack’s sale of the Herman Halpern Collection, March 1988, Lot 346; earlier still from Stack’s sale of the “Alto” Collection, December 1970, Lot 557, thence to C. Douglas Smith, thence to Denis Loring, then through intermediaries into the Phillip Flannagan Collection, then to Tony Terranova. Putting together a variety set of 1817 cents is a pleasurable pastime. No doubt this coin will neatly end the search for an N-13. $1,250
1817 N-16. 15 Stars. AU-58 BN (NGC). R-1. Medium lustrous brown surfaces, significantly smoother and of higher quality than typically encountered. One of the most interesting, most curious varieties in the entire series. Obverse: 1 (1817) blunt 1, scarcely a vestige of a flag; script style 8; 7 with small serif upward from left side of top; 81 closest. 15 stars; the only such star count in the series. Fairly well struck; all dentils defined. Triangular die break below and right of ear., apparently as always (cf. John D. Wright, The Cent Book 1816-1839, 1992, p. 30). Reverse: T (CENT) slightly low. Doubled dentil at 6:15 o’clock. Perfect die. Impression is deeper at lower left and lighter at upper right, apparently the result of non-parallel die faces. Reverse die used on N-1 and N-16 of this year. Wright (p. 30): “This is the only blunt-1 one-cent die between 1801 and 1830. Ex Tom Reynolds. $2,250
This obverse invites study. Was it done by an apprentice or an amateur? The star count misses the standard of 13 by two, a more egregious error than the famous 1828 12-stars half cent and the famous and rare 1832 12-stars half eagle. Moreover, the spacing of the stars is somewhat irregular, not unique to the series by any means, but worth noting here. Stars 6-7 and 8-9 are significantly wider apart than are stars 7-8. The blunt 1 of the date is curious as well. Moreover, the die face was not parallel with the center line of the shank, with the result that on all specimens one side of the coin is more prominent than the other, this feature being most easily observed by checking the dentils on the reverse.
The mintage of the 1817 15-Stars cent is not known, but was probably several tens of thousands. Hundreds are known today, most of which grade below EF. Occasionally, EF coins are seen, and less occasionally, AU examples. Only a handful of true Mint State coins exist, mostly hovering around MS-60 on a realistic grading basis. Dave Bowers reports that he has never seen an example with original mint red, or has he ever encountered a gem. The famous Randall Hoard contained not a single example of this variety.
1818 N-1. MS-62BN (NGC). R-2+. Scarce at all levels. Light brown satiny unbroken luster on both sides, exceptional in quality in appearance. Fairly sharply struck on the portrait, some lightness of the stars as expected for N-1. Delicate die crack from 1, left through stars 1 and 2, reappearing at stars 5 and 6. Reverse especially sharply struck with bold dentils. Die alignment rotated about 45º to the left of the usual. A find for the advanced specialist. $1,130.
1818 N-6. MS-62 BN (NGC). R-1. Rich glossy lustrous brown surfaces bespeaking the appearance of fine old leather. Medium brown on the obverse, the reverse medium to light brown. Sharply struck at the centers. Obverse with some expected lightness on stars and dentils. Reverse sharp to the edge of the field, dentils light, again as expected on N-6. A delicate crack extends from the E (UNITED) clockwise through the letters to M (AMERICA). A handsome coin with an exceptionally generous measure of eye appeal. $860.
1818 N-10. MS-64 BN (NGC) with tinges of red. R-1. Rich brown lustre with much “life.” A few hints of mint red are seen here and there. Variety with die crack linking all the stars and the date on the obverse. Significantly above average in eye appeal. A splendid specimen of the date, variety, and grade. $745.
1819 N-2. Large Date. MS-64 BN (NGC). R-1. A lovely specimen out of the Geneva Sale a few years ago, there as Lot 49 with this commentary: “A wonderful example, nearly of gem quality, with outstanding frosty brown lustre on both obverse and reverse. Sharply struck. A later die state with the date and most stars connected by fine die cracks. Prominent die rust is visible on the reverse.” To the preceding the present cataloguer (QDB) adds the modification, sharply struck in most areas, and notable as such. However, some lightness, not unusual for N-2, is seen on a few stars and among the dentils. This specimen went to a New York City buyer, then to a New England cabinet. $1,225
1819 N-3. Small Date. AU-58 BN (NGC). R-3. Medium brown surfaces, smooth and with subtle lustre, an overall quality that is hard to find today. The striking at the centers and peripheral stars is quite good, finer than usually encountered. There is normal lightness at the dentils. This lovely coin went from Chris Victor-McCawley to a eastern numismatist, then a few years go into a New England collection at $1,410. Now it reappears to grace yet another fine cabinet. $1,675
1819 N-6. Small Date. MS-62 BN (NGC). R-1. Medium brown surfaces are glossy and uniform. The striking is of a high order of excellence, and this comment includes the dentils. To see this coin is to want to own it. This can happen, for $1,425
1819 N-9. Small Date. MS-64 RB (NGC). R-1. • Obverse: Date widely and quite evenly spaced; block-style 8. L (LIBERTY) quite low; repunching at I. The field is smooth and consisting, light brown with ample tinges of original mint red, especially around the portrait, the last having a diagnostic raised diagonal ridge on the neck. The stars are mostly well defined, including the centers, but are not bold. The dentils are light, as expected for N-9. • Reverse: 1st T (STATES) lightly repunched at left; 2nd S slightly low. T (CENT) deeply punched in die. The color and presence of lustre on the surface matches the obverse. A splendid N-9 that will be a delight to own. $985.
1820/19 N-3. MS-64 RB (NGC). R-2. A splendid coin, rich lustrous brown with many areas of original mint red, nicely blended together to create a stunning visual effect. This high-grade overdate was acquired a number of years ago from Tony Terranova at $4,850. Today, it should be a worthwhile acquisition for just $5,400
1820 N-10. Large Date. MS-64 BN (NGC). R-2. Well struck with beautiful light brown lustre evenly blended with a significant amount of original mint red color. Once again, quality comes to the fore. Off the market in recent times, this lovely cent can be yours for $985
1820 N-12. Large Date. MS-63 BN (NGC). R-3. Light brown surfaces on both sides with hints of original mint red. Glossy, smooth fields. Striking is typical for N-12. The dies were made by hand, and on the reverse of this issue the letters were not deeply punched in, although they are complete and quite satisfactory. From Stack’s, U.S. Gold, Silver & Copper Coins, October 20-21, 1999, Lot 154, then to three other numismatists. It is at once interesting and delightful that such coins jump around—and this applies even to great rarities in the American series—giving us all the opportunity to acquire needed specimens. $1,400
1820 N-15. MS-63 BN (NGC). R-2. A lustrous and thoroughly lovely example of N-15, this coin is well struck in most areas, has rich medium-brown lustre, and is a treat to the eye. On the reverse some tinges of original mint red can be seen. Quality such as this—a pristine coin that has never been “improved” or diddled with, is becoming increasingly more difficult to find on the market, as more people join the ranks of numismatists. $1,635
1821 N-1. AU-58 (NGC). R-1. A lovely example of this highly sought-after date and variety. Decent strike, some lightness at stars. Bold portrait, exquisite dental detail. Nicely blended medium brown surfaces with a few hints of mint color. A few scattered marks are typical of the grade. With a nice 1821 tucked away in your collection, your search for other basic Guide Book varieties will be made a bit easier, for nice 1821 cents are not easy to find. Ex Tony Terranova to a New England collection, now offered here. $6,250
1821 N-2. AU-58 BN (NGC). R-1. A nice strike, somewhat above average in sharpness. All stars show their centers, some light and others bold. Medium brown and tan surfaces. Some scattered marks are seen, typical of the grade category. As a date in the later series (1816-1857) the 1821 is second only to the 1823 in terms of rarity. Finding a truly nice cent of this year has been the goal of many collectors over the years, few of whom have landed one in the AU or finer category. $6,400.
It is on issues such as this that the Sheldon scale for rarity bottoms out; it is of not much use for a date or variety that overall is scarce or rare in terms of Guide Book listing and demand, but which is not common. In the Sheldon scale a coin for which 1,300 are estimated to exist is listed as R-1, as is one with 5,000 or 10,000 extant.
1822 N-2. MS-62 BN (NGC). R-2+. Well struck with light brown and highly lustrous surfaces, nicely blended. A few whispers of mint red are seen here and there. Cents of the year 1822 are often attractive, and this is no exception. As such coins are not known from any hoard, Mint State pieces are where you can find them, and this is not all that often. Ex Chris Victor McCawley to an eastern numismatist, to a New England cabinet, to here. $2,340
Although the date collector can be easily satisfied with just about any variety of 1822, as they have similar general features, “for the variety collector this year offers something far richer—a first rate challenge,” noted John D. Wright in his 1992 text.
1822 N-4. MS-62 BN (NGC). R-2. Light brown surfaces, highly frosty and lustrous, with some tinges of lighter (and completely original) color. Sharply struck at the centers and in most, but not all, other areas. A coin of compelling beauty, to see it is to want to own it. If eye appeal of a coin were to be rated on a scale of 1 to 100 (not that we need more numbers in the hobby), this would be in the 90s! Perfect dies, an early state. With raised compass or scribe line inside the obverse dentils. $2,600
1823/2 N-1. EF-45 (PCGS). Light brown surfaces of even, original color. Striking as usual for N-1, somewhat bolder on the reverse than on the obverse. Of all years in the later series of copper cents 1816 to 1857, the 1823 is far and away the most difficult to find. Of the varieties of 1823, the overdate (as here) and the perfect date, the overdate is seen more often. Although no data are available, it is our estimation that this particular coin is easily in the top 5% of known specimens, grade-wise. An important acquisition for the die variety specialist or for the more usual collector by Guide Book-listed varieties. From Chris Victor McCawley, July 1990, later in the Lucien La Riviere Collection sale. A dandy coin in every respect. $3,200
1823 N-2. AU-50. Lightly brushed at one time. Graded AU-55 many years ago. • Obverse: Block-type 8 (1823) with center thin; 2 with large open curl at top, curled base; 3 with point at top and ball at bottom. L (LIBERTY) slightly double punched, most evident just below upper left serif. Dentils at rim crumbled from just past star 4 to nearly halfway between 6 and 7, but with traces of two dentil spaces above upper left of star 6. This die was later used to create the 1823 “restrike” cent. • Reverse: Top of O (ONE) slightly high. Tops of CE (CENT) slightly higher than tops of NT. This die also used on 1824 N-5. Perfect die; no cracks. Dentils delineated but not bold. From Chris Victor McCawley in the late 20th century, at $4,200. Earlier from Gardens Coin Exchange, Palm Beach, FL, “coin from collection of John Dearden, copy editor, Saturday Evening Post.” Graded AU-55 at that time. Satisfaction guaranteed, of course. See it and you’ll like it. Not many 1823 cents are in such a high grade. A lovely coin today, one which except for the brushing would bring nearly twice our price of $4,900.
In 1859 in his American Numismatical Manual Dr. Montroville W. Dickeson commented concerning the cents of this year: “The number coined—obtained through letters from Washington—was 12,250. This coinage is not acknowledged in the Mint report, it being, from that authority, one of the years of non-coinage. The copper of this emission is pure and soft, hence the cents are much worn, and can be rarely found in a condition worthy of preservation. They command a premium.”
In 1879 Édouard Frossard was aware that the cents of 1823 were not available in high grades. He stated: “On account of the small number coined, the cents of this date are generally considered scarce, yet they are not unfrequently [sic] found in poor condition.”
1823 Restrike. MS-64 BN (NGC). Very sharply and carefully struck, albeit from rusted, shattered dies. A particularly choice exemplar of this favorite variety and long-time conversation piece. Medium brown patination. One of the nicest we’ve had. $1,830.
Notes: The 1823 “restrike” is not a restrike at all, but was produced outside of the Mint, using a rusted discarded cent die of 1823 in combination with one of an earlier year, the 1813 Sheldon-293. E.L. Mason, Jr., in Mason’s Coin and Stamp Collectors’ Magazine, March 1869, stated that such “restrikes” began appearing in quantity on the market in 1867. Earlier, scattered examples had been seen, priced at $3 each retail. Over a long period of time, many numismatists have ventured opinions concerning the genesis of these pieces. Lancaster (PA) dealer Charles Steigerwalt printed this in a catalogue in January 1901 (reiterated in The Numismatist the following month):
“So-Called Mint Restrike Cents: A certain kind of 1804 and 1823 cents have appeared in sale catalogues for years as ‘Mint Restrikes.’ The recent cataloguers may be excused on the plea of ignorance, but when these rank counterfeits are sold by those who have being doing so for years, it is time collectors knew their true character. While at a recent sale, the lacking information regarding the 1823 was given by an aged collector, who told how, years ago, he had found the dies in New York, probably sold with old iron from the Mint, brought them to Philadelphia, had a collar made, which was lacking, and the coins struck by a man named Miller on 7th Street that city. Later, the dies came into possession of a then leading dealer there and, when his store was sold out in 1885, the writer finding them among a lot of old dies purchased, they were at once destroyed so effectually that no more will ever come from that source.…”
While Steigerwalt claimed that he had destroyed the dies, his recollection was in error, for they were still in existence in the late 20th century.
Today, not much is known about “Miller,” the putative coiner in Philadelphia. A study of examples in existence today shows that such cents were restruck over a period of time. Likely, the “aged collector” who talked with Steigerwalt, stating he had found the dies in New York, was a later owner. Penny-Wise, September 1970, ran a feature on this coin, and a few years ago Mark Borckardt took a close look at this and other cent restrikes as part of the COAC gathering at the American Numismatic Society.
1824/2 N-1. AU-58 BN (NGC). R-2. Medium lustrous brown surfaces. One of the most elusive Guide Book-listed varieties of its era in higher grades. When found, the 1824/2 is usually far below the grade offered here. • Obverse: 1 (1824) with thick upright, curve to upper left top of flag; block-style 8; delicate loop at top of 2, curved base; virtually entire outline of under-digit 2 visible below 4, plain 4; all digits closely spaced, 24 closest. Die used on N-1 and N-5. Very delicate crack connects 1 (1824) with star 1; another delicate crack connects stars 6-1. Very well struck. • Reverse: 2nd S (STATES) slightly low and close to E. T (CENT) slightly low. Die crack through letters, etc., except at OF. Ex Chris Victor McCawley, late 20th century. $4,800
1824/2 N-1. AU-53 BN (NGC). A lovely specimen of this hard-to-find overdate. The great demand for these far exceeds the supply of pieces at the AU level. Lustrous, warm brown surfaces. A splendid coin. $3,400
1824 N-2. AU-58 (NGC). R-2. Lustrous brown surfaces. Another winning-quality cent, this from Chris Victor McCawley at $2,000 a few years ago. • Obverse: 1 (1824) with heavy upright, curved upper left to flag; block-type 8; delicate loop at top of 2, curved base; plain 4. L (LIBERTY) slightly repunched; most evident at top. Perfect die. Well struck. • Reverse: Top of N (CENT) slightly low. Center dot visible. Perfect die. A great addition to an advanced collection. $2,400
1825 N-3. AU-58 BN (NGC). R-3. Rich lustrous medium brown surfaces, uniform color on both sides. Sharply struck at the centers, some normal lightness on the stars. Some scattered marks typical for the grade. A coin with very nice eye appeal, one that has not been diddled with or “improved” in any way. Pristine specimens are increasingly hard to find. $2,300
1826 N-9 AU-58 BN (NGC). R-3. Fairly sharply struck; dentils delineated but not deep; perfect die. Medium brown lustre of consistent satin quality. Obverse: Block-style 8 (1826); delicate loop at top of 2, curved base; 82 closest spaced. Star spacing erratic (e.g., stars 6-7 are significantly closer than 9-10); star 11 repunched; raised tiny “teardrop” in field between two leftmost points of star 12. L (LIBERTY) slightly repunched; three tiny rectangles on top line of T; bases of IB and ERT touch or nearly touch. • Reverse: M (AMERICA) slightly repunched at left center. Base of O (ONE) slightly low; base of E slightly high. Tiny projection extends below upright of T (CENT). Small but clear center dot above upper left tip of N (CENT). $650.
1827 N-7. MS-61 BN (NGC). R-1+. Another cent with a generous quotient of eye appeal, this has light lustrous brown surfaces with tinges of original mint red. Striking is fairly good, a bit above average for N-7, but with some expected lightness at the stars. Putting together a nicely matched collection of large copper cents is not easy to do, and when it comes to scarcer dates—of which 1827 is one—choice pieces are apt to be widely spaced in market offerings. $2,200
1827 N-9. AU-58 (NGC). R-3. Another cent earning top honors for good old-fashioned eye appeal, this scarce and lovely 1827 N-3 has rich medium-brown surfaces, lustrous, and desirable in every way. The obverse has a delicate tracery of die cracks linking the stars and date. Probably as much as in any other American series, quite a bit of effort is needed to track down coins, grading assignment aside, that are really beautiful to behold. This is such a coin. From Tom Reynolds in sequence to two other numismatists. $1,950
1828 N-3. Large Date. MS-63 BN (NGC). R-2. Well struck on both sides, virtually definitive for checking out technical details of the design. Lustrous light brown surfaces with a generous quotient of eye appeal. A cent of very special quality! $1,850
1828 N-6. Large Date. MS-63 BN (NGC). R-1. Fairly well struck overall, save for a few star centers. Rich, coruscating brown lustrous surfaces, a delight to behold. Perhaps undergraded, or, in any event, seemingly a very “high end” MS-63 in terms of grading interpretations in the present market. This specimen earns high points for its beauty, but its pedigree must not be overlooked—and includes Henry Hines, the 1949 ANA Sale (Numismatic Gallery, Lot 1620), Dr. William H. Sheldon, Floyd Starr, and others. This coin landed as the plate specimen in Bill Noyes’ dandy book on the series. This is certainly a one-of-a-kind opportunity if you consider all of these features! $2,700
1828 N-10 Small Date. MS-62 BN (NGC). R-1 earlier, now recognized as R-2. A lovely specimen of this basically tough date. The N-10 is the only variety of this year with Small Date, a Guide Book-listed issue. This specimen is well struck save for some star centers, has light brown fields, and is stunning in its beauty and overall eye appeal. The most readily distinguished feature of the date is the 8, which with has a bold stroke from upper left, crossing the center, over a lighter stroke in the other direction—sometimes called a Script 8 (in contrast to the standard or Block 8, with a top lobe and a bottom lobe, and with the strokes of the same strength and the same level at the center. The 1 in the date seems to be from an older set of punches on hand and is slightly too large for the rest of the font; it is cut over a smaller 1, the right side of the shaft being barely visible under, say, 8X magnification. It was Mint practice at the time to order letter and numeral punches from outside suppliers. The lovely cent was in the W. Foster Schreeder Collection in the 1970s, later become part of the cabinet of J.R. (“Bob”) Grellman. $2,350
1828 N-11. Large Date. MS-62 BN (NGC). R-2. A well struck coin with medium brown-olive surfaces, lustrous, and with exceptional eye appeal. Indeed, it had a magnetic attraction for several of the greatest names in the annals of large copper cent study and appreciation. • Obverse: Block-style 8’s; curl-top 2 with curved base. Stars that point to beads: 2, 3, 4, 6 (left side of bead), 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. Border of round beads, many of which can be seen in completely circular form. Perfect die, no cracks, probably only lightly used for striking by this point. • Reverse: D (UNITED) slightly repunched to right. Border of round beads, some of which can be seen in completely circular form in the area from about 7 o’clock to 12 o’clock. Center dot above upper left tip of N (CENT). Perfect die. Ex New Netherlands Coin Co. section of ANA Sale, 1952, Homer K. Downing estate collection, Lot 2171, in pencil: “N-11 State b. MS-60.” Sold to Willard C. Blaisdell, then to Ted Naftzger (July 1976), graded by T.N. as MS-65, landing it right at the top of the Condition Census in William C. Noyes’ United States Large Cents 1836-1839 book. Of course, the grading of large copper cents is a subject of never-ending discussion, with Dr. Sheldon, for one, stating that possession of a coin is sometimes worth 5 grade points. If so, then this is a 67! Just kidding, but it is certainly a lovely piece. $3,400
1829 N-1. Large Letters. MS-62 BN (NGC). R-3. Highly lustrous medium brown surfaces. A coin with superb eye appeal. • Obverse: 1 (1828) with curved upper left to flag, heavy upright; 8 too small and of the script style; 2 with curl top and with heavy curved base; 9 with ball close to curve; 82 most closely spaced. L (LIBERTY) slightly low. Inner circle at dentil tips. Superb strike with excellent definition of portrait, stars, and dentils. Perfect die. • Reverse: E (ONE) possibly over smaller erroneous E, with too-small center serif still visible. E (CENT) slightly repunched. Sharp strike. Light crack from above upper right of M (AMERICA) through tops of ER. Slight clashmarks from hair bun outline can be seen at right inner side of wreath. From Tony Terranova some time ago, apparently from Del Bland, November 1988, at $3,000. $2,800
1829 N-2. Large Letters. MS-62 BN (NGC). R-2. A splendid specimen with enough eye appeal for two coins—and, to our way of thinking, eye appeal is one of the most important factors when seeking early copper cents. In addition, the 1829 date is just plain scarce, keeping good company with 1827 and 1828 in this decade, not as elusive as 1821 or, especially, 1822, but eclipsing any of the years of the 1830s. • Obverse: 1 (1828) with curved upper left to flag, heavy upright; 8 too small and of the script style; 2 with curl top and with heavy curved base; 9 with ball close to curve; 29 most closely spaced, slightly closer than 82. Star spacing erratic; stars at left are generally closer to the dentils than are stars on the right. L (LIBERTY) slightly repunched; base of E lower than base of adjacent R. Die used for N-2 and 3. Crack begins in field before star 1 and continues to link stars 1-4. Crack links stars 11-13 and extends lightly farther at each end. Dentils large and boldly defined. Well struck. • Reverse: E (CENT) repunched at left; N slightly repunched. Medium-size center dot. Dentils absent or vestigial from 9 o’clock to 1 o’clock; otherwise defined. $2,450
1829 N-6. Large Letters. MS-61 BN (NGC). R-1. A well-struck example, lustrous medium brown surfaces, and, again, a coin selected for its far above average eye appeal. From a Midwest source a few years ago, to Tony Terranova, into an eastern collection. A fine opportunity at $2,200
1830 N-1. Large Letters. MS-62 BN (NGC). R-1. Richly lustrous medium brown surfaces, glossy, beautiful, and quite exceptional within its parameters of date, variety, and assigned grade. • Obverse: Script-style 8 (1830); 3 with ball at top and bottom; all numbers close, but 18 closest, although the differential is minute. Prominent raised scribe line inside dentils and separated from them; incomplete below 18 (1830). L (LIBERTY) slightly low. A very well made die. Crack from rim, through star 2 and back to rim near star 3. Die lightly rusted overall. • Reverse: 2nd S (STATES) slightly low. N (ONE) leans slightly right. Medium-size center dot. This sturdy die is found on N-1 through N-7. Dentils visible all around border. Lightly rusted. $960
1830 N-1. Large Letters. MS-61 BN (NGC). R-1. Light brown surfaces of beauty and lustre. Quite well struck. Another splendid copper cent of a quality not often seen in the marketplace today. • Obverse: Dentils mostly vestigial. Fields with radial ridges indicative of extensive use. Scribe line incomplete below 18 (1830). Crack from rim, through star 1 and back to rim near star 2. Tiny crack from star 1 toward star 2, nearly reaching it. • Reverse: Dentils vestigial or absent from 9 o’clock to 12 o’clock. Die shows signs of use, but there are no cracks. $820
1830 N-2. Large Letters. MS-63 BN (NGC). R-2. Lustrous light brown with ample tinges of original mint red. Stars light at the centers, typical of N-2. New to the market now, this coin last sold for $2,205 a few years ago. $2,475
1831 N-1. MS-64 BN (NGC). R-1. A tiny planchet clip at left edge lends interest and rarity (noted on the holder, but not added to the price either at the time of acquisition or now). A rich, lustrous brown surface of exceptional quality and eye appeal, a “keeper” among examples of this variety and grade. The obverse is well struck, including at the star centers and hair detail, save for the center of star 1 and some lightness at the center of star 2. A delicate crack runs through the stars and date except for the interval from star 4 to 8. On the reverse the striking is exquisite, with excellent wreath detail and lettering. Ex Tony Terranova and Chris Victor McCawley. $1,435
1831 N-3. Medium Letters. MS-62 BN (NGC). R-1. Gorgeous light brown color, uniform on both sides, with rich lustre—a treat for the connoisseur. Well struck overall, save for some star centers. A lovely example of an N-3 cent, a sentiment no doubt shared by a string of earlier owners including T.R.M. (September 21, 1991), D. Bird (September 14, 1994, no. 765), Tom Reynolds, and Tony Terranova. $840
1831 N-6. Large Letters. MS-62 BN (NGC). R-1. Planchet lamination at CE (CENT), and certified as a mint error. Light chocolate brown surfaces, almost good enough for a nibble! Superb eye appeal and lustre. Broad, bold dentils on the obverse, characteristic. The lamination is a bit distracting, but to a collector of mint errors it will suit just fine. Take it home for just $670
1831 N-7. Large Letters. MS-64 BN (NGC). R-1. Well struck. Light brown surfaces are deeply frosty and are tinged with nuances of original mint color. A splendid cent that has not been “improved” or treated in any way and is simply pristine. A find for the specialist. $1,860
1831 N-8. Large Letters. MS-62 BN (NGC). R-3. A well-struck specimen of light brown color, richly lustrous, and with exceptional eye appeal. Not rare as a date, somewhat elusive as a variety, but decidedly special in terms of quality. $1,300
1832 N-2. Medium Letters. MS-63 BN (NGC). R-3. A splendid coin, lustrous light brown, above average in strike, and of compelling beauty. This coin has had a string of illustrious past owners, including but not limited to Dr. Charles A. Cass (Empire Collection, Stack’s, November 1957, Lot 253); Lester Merkin, private treaty; Del Bland; David Therrell; Dr. Jack Adams Collection (1982, Lot 572); Henry T. Hettger; Chris Victor-McCawley; and Tony Terranova. When acquired it was accompanied by an old slip noting: “The ever-present arc crack through the upper stars on the obverse; blundered reverse legend: TED originally punched too far left, then corrected; the next word, from remaining traces, was punched in as SATTES rather than STATES, then mostly ground off and repunched correctly. We have seen no mention of this blunder.” Be the next name on this list, for just $1,400
1832 N-3. Large Letters. MS-63 BN (NGC). R-1. Light brown color. A lovely cent, beautiful to behold, that has been enjoyed by several owners since it appeared in Lester Merkin’s sale of September 20, 1967, there as Lot 109. • Obverse: 1 (1832) with small pointed flag; script-style 8; 3 with balls at top and bottom; 2 with delicate curved top and heavy curved base. 18 widest; 32 closest. RTY (LIBERTY) either double punched or machine doubled. Above average strike. Perfect die. • Reverse: 2nd S (STATES) low. F (OF) slightly double punched on left side of upright. Raised “pimple” on left diagonal near center of M (AMERICA). O (ONE) leans left. T (CENT) sharply double punched. Above average strike. Perfect die. $1,475
1833 N-1. MS-63 BN (NGC). R-1. Lustrous light brown “as you like it” quality, superb eye appeal. Obverse about usual strike, reverse quite sharp. For a long time in the collection of James A. Ross, Scranton, PA (principal in Sprague & Henwood, drilling contractors), this lovely coin passed to his son Adrian, then across the block at Stacks, June 1990, Lot 1244. After that time it was owned by two or three other specimens, after which it alighted as Lot 204 in EAC Auction No. 4, January 1992, then to Robinson S. Brown, Jr., later as Lot 584 in his sale conducted by Superior (January 1996), then way out West, then to New York City, now here! $1,450
1833 N-3. MS-62 BN (NGC). R-1. Light brown surfaces, very lustrous. Lightly struck in areas, probably simply from “tired dies.” While this coin has nice eye appeal, it is perhaps best bought for the holder and label, not for the coin itself. If you are a connoisseur, wait for another opportunity, perhaps paying a bit more for a nicer piece. $625
1833 N-6. AU-58 BN (NGC). R-1. Very lustrous and with much eye appeal. Rich brown color. • Obverse: 1 (1833) with tiny upper projection at left in lieu of flag; script-style 8; both 3’s with knobs; spacing fairly even, slightly larger spacing of 83. R (LIBERTY) slightly repunched. Perfect die. Some stars light at centers; bold dentils; sharp portrait. • Reverse: 2nd S (STATES) distant and slightly low. N (CENT) double punched; T leans slightly left. Late state of the die. Cracks, double at some points, completely around border through lettering, etc. A very attractive N-6. $865
1833 N-5. MS-64 BN (NGC). R-1. A superb coin, above average in struck (but not needle sharp), with rich, glossy brown surfaces tinged with original mint red. A coin of magnetic appeal when viewed, a splendid specimen of the date and Newcomb variety. $1,450
1834 N-1. Small 8, Large Stars, Medium Letters. AU-58 BN (NGC). R-1. Richly lustrous brown surfaces, a coin with exceptional eye appeal. • Obverse: Tops of 1 (1834) and 4 high; script style 8; ball at top and bottom of 3; plain 4; all figures close, 83 closest. Dentils are seen to be in the form of pellets or beads in the areas in which such are visible; dentils are smaller than in previous years (this holding true for smaller dentils on later dies). Field granular from use. Crack links stars 2-12 and extends to close to star 13. Average strike. • Reverse: The Small Letters style permits wider spacing, such as between A (AMERICA), M, and E, which on Large Letters reverses are close. E (ONE) repunched at top. N (CENT) slightly repunched; small extension from base of T. Dentils long and of the old style; unlike those used on the obverse. Die used for N-1 of 1834 (as here) and also N-3 of 1835. Dentils weak or vestigial in some areas. Field granular from extensive use. Crack, sometimes ridge-line, clockwise through letters from 2nd A (AMERICA) around to first A in the same word. $580
In 1834 the country of Venezuela ordered 100,000 large copper cents, a request that was filled. In 1835 1,000,000 more were ordered, but it is not known how many were shipped (cf. R.W. Julian, The Numismatic Scrapbook Magazine, October 1972). John D. Wright, The Cent Book 1816-1839, 1992, stated that “it is safe to assume that over a quarter of our 3,878,400 cent mintage [of the 1835 year] sailed to the tropics.
1834 N-3. Large Date, Small Stars, Medium Letters. AU-58 BN (NGC). R-1. Medium brown surfaces are very lustrous. About typical strike for N-3. Some marks on the reverse above ONE are mentioned here, perhaps unnecessarily, as that is what grading numbers are for. A worthwhile example of this somewhat scarce variety. • Obverse: Date irregular, with medium-size 1, small 3, and large 8 and 4, a mixture of fonts(!); 8 is of the script style; 3 with ball at top and bottom; plain 4; 834 close. Small, delicate stars. Slight doubling of most letters in LIBERTY. Dentils attached to flat rim or border (unlike earlier styles in which the dentils extended fully to the border); dentils widely spaced. Die used for N-3 and 4 (first N-3, then N-4, then N-3 again). Fields granular from use. Crack extends in two directions Crack from star 5 toward adjacent stars but reaches neither; crack from rim near star 11 extends to connect stars 12-13 and continues to exit at dentils below 4 (1834). • Reverse: Base of O (OF) low. N (ONE) sharply repunched. C (CENT) possibly over smaller C and with thin trace of an earlier C at the top of the inside space in the letter; T with small extension from base of upright. Prominent center dot. Perfect die (no cracks), but with some granularity from use. $1,435
1835 N-7. Head of 1836. MS-62 BN (NGC). R-1. Lustrous medium brown with a few very light surface marks on the obverse. A pleasing example overall. From die state with minor die rust visible on both obverse and reverse. $760
1836 N-5. AU-58 BN(NGC). R-3. A lovely, lustrous, light brown specimen of this scarce variety. Well struck in most areas, light at star centers, this being usual. Ideal for the date and variety. $560
1837 N-1. Plain Hair Cords, Head of 1836, Medium Letters. MS-63 BN (NGC). R-3. Richly lustrous surfaces. Typical strike for this elusive die variety. Excellent eye appeal overall. Late state of the obverse die, with peripheral crack extending from the date, left through six stars, exiting at the border above star 7. Reverse with crack through the letters at the upper right. $945
1837 N-6. Plain Hair Cords, Head of 1836, Medium Letters. MS-60. R-2. A lovely N-6 cent, very well struck and with smooth, glossy brown surfaces. $560
1837 N-8. Plain Hair Cords, Head of 1836, Medium Letters. MS-64 BN (NGC). R-1. Lustrous light brown surfaces with tinges of red, the last seen on the reverse. Obverse sharply struck at the centers, some lightness at the borders, as expected. The reverse is very sharp overall. A tiny planchet chip is seen within the wreath. A splendid example of the date, variety, and assigned grade. $970
1838 N-1. MS-64 BN (NGC). R-1. Splendid lustrous brown surfaces with abundant tinges of red. Ideal as a basic type or a nice example for the variety collector. $780.
1839 N-3. Type of 1838. MS-65 BN (NGC). R-2. A gem specimen with deep, rich lustre over medium brown surfaces. Above average in strike and way above average in eye appeal. A splendid specimen of one of the earlier varieties of this transitional year, employing the traditional portrait punch used earlier, perhaps before Christian Gobrecht began his experiments with the appearance of Miss Liberty. $2,965.
1839 N-4. Silly Head. MS-64 BN (NGC). R-1. A deeply and richly lustrous example of one of the most famous and desired cent varieties of this era, from the charming Silly Head appellation, the origin of which is not known (except that it was in use by the late 1850s). The obverse is medium brown with a few hints of original mint red, while the reverse is brown with perhaps 25% original mint red. A very choice example—not rare as a die variety, but not often encountered with such excellent eye appeal. $3,875
Among copper cents of 1839 there are a handful of basically different portrait varieties. It is likely that Christian Gobrecht, de facto chief engraver at the Mint (although he would not officially take that designation until the incapacitated William Kneass died in 1840) chose this denomination to experiment with designs. A collection of varieties of this date alone would be the most varied of any year of the later 1816-1857 era.
1839 N-5. Booby Head, no line under CENT. MS-64 BN (NGC). R-1. Glossy brown surfaces. • Obverse: 8 (1838) is of the script style. 3 with curl at top, ball at bottom; 839 close. Base of T (LIBERTY) embedded in hair curl. Booby Head portrait; right “corner” of neck truncation visible and hair goes under it. Dentils of medium length and with spaces between. Well struck in all areas. Tiny planchet rift in dentils just below star 2. • Reverse: TA (STATES) and TE widely separated; 2 S low. AM (AMERICA)O and RI close; IC widest separation. Upper left serif of T (CENT) nearly disconnected. No line under CENT. Die used for N-5, 7, and 12. Perfect die. A pleasing example of this, one of the most often seen of the Booby Heads. Still, at the MS-64 level this coin is scarce if not rare. $2,250
1839 N-5. Booby Head. MS-61 BN (NGC). R-1. A very distinctive variety, arranged in a cameo style, with large portrait with small stars surrounding. On the reverse the wreath is delicate and the letters are small, this way to begin with, then made all the thinner by relapping. Lustrous, brown, and very attractive. A “keeper” for this popular variety. First order gets it for $1,345
1839 N-11. Booby Head. MS-63 BN (NGC). R-1. Richly lustrous deep brown surfaces. Late state of the dies and with indistinct dentils in most areas. Take your pick of grades; earlier it was NGC MS-64 BN (1270891-002). The cents of 1839 make an interesting specialty into themselves, and this coin would be a dandy addition to such a set. $1,750
1839 N-12. Booby Head. EF-40. R-4. Dark brown surfaces, glossy, but somewhat porous. A late die state of this ever-popular variety; crack from border to star 4 to portrait. One of the tougher coins of the year, N-12 has been in strong demand. Among coins of this die combination, this seems to be among the top 10 or so finest known. In 1992 this particular variety was the subject of speculative “combat” between two numismatists, notes John D. Wright. Ex Joe Dooley Sale, January 11, 1997, Lot 438, intermediate owners, Tony Terranova, to an eastern numismatist at $900 a few years ago. $980
1839 N-13. Booby Head. MS-61 BN (NGC). R-1. Nicely struck. Medium brown surfaces, lustrous and attractive. A specimen with a good quotient of old-fashioned eye appeal. Cents of the Booby Head style are nicely proportioned on the dies, with delicate wreath and lettering, etc. Today, the result seems to be far finer than the “heavy” style in effect beginning with the latter part of 1843 and continuing to 1857. Ex Stack’s 65th Anniversary Sale, October 2000, Lot 86, later to a New York numismatist, now offered here. $1,260
1842 N-4. Large Date. MS-60 BN. A well struck, pleasing specimen with medium brown toning over smooth, even fields. Eye appeal par excellence! From Tom Reynolds, Omaha, to Tony Terranova, into an eastern collection, and now offered here. $590
1842 N-8. Large Date. MS-65 BN (NGC). Superbly struck in all design areas, including the portrait, stars, wreath, and lettering. Dentils complete but with some lightness. The fields of both sides were carefully lapped at the Mint, giving them an usually perfect, pristine character. Medium brown and olive with a few hints of original Mint red. Quality personified! $980.
1843 N-3. Obverse and Reverse Style of 1842. MS-62 BN (NGC). R-3+, challenging R-4. Scarce at all grade levels. About typical strike for N-3, needle sharp in some areas, particular at the centers, some slightly lightness of strike in other areas. Striking is a moot point to nearly all buyers in the market today, for holders do not mention it, and few cataloguers do either. The present coin has beautiful, consistent medium brown lustre on both sides, satiny in quality. A splendid coin. $840.
Varieties of the 1843 copper cent with the Obverse and Reverse Style of 1842 represent last of the old-style positioning of the Liberty Head, this configuration has the portrait tilting sharply forward, the style originated in 1839 and used from then until part of 1842. The reverse is also of the old style, with small letters, imparting a nice visual effect to the issues. Exactly why the Mint abandoned the small letters on cents, quarter dollars, half dollars, and certain gold coins is not known, but perhaps they should not have. Among copper cents 1843 was a year of transition.
1843 N-4. Obverse Style of 1842, Reverse Style of 1844. MS-62 BN (NGC). Medium to dark brown surfaces, consistent color, this being typical of the planchet stock used for N-4. Both sides are from late die states. • Obverse: Portrait of Liberty seems tilted forward. 8 (1843) directly under lowest point of bust; curl tip above and slightly left of center of the upright of 4. Lightness of strike at center. Late state of the die with granular surface and some erosion, but no cracks. • Reverse: Some light granularity from die use, but no cracks. $1,450
The order of Newcomb listings vis-à-vis the transition of the design styles is erratic for this year, but not as erratic as for 1839. If the subject of die varieties of 1816-1857 die varieties is ever revisited from a zero-based concept, it would be nice to arrange the issues in the best order of emission that can be ascertained. However, even with the best of thought there is no certainty, for sometimes the Mint used old dies after new styles had been adopted.
1843 N-12. Obverse and Reverse Style of 1842. MS-64 RB (NGC). R-2. Sharply struck, save for a few star centers. Rich lustrous brown surfaces with a delightful mixture of original mint red—the type of quality and eye appeal that is long sought but not often found. The present coin has kept company with some of the finest names in the hobby, including Lester Merkin (sale of March 1969, Lot 683), Robinson S. Brown, Jr., the McCawley-Grellman duo (sale of July 1994, Lot 219), and Tony Terranova, among others. $1,575
1843 N-15. Obverse and Reverse Style of 1842. MS-63 BN (NGC). R-3. Another example of the early-style cent design configuration of the year—distinctive and interesting. The present variety is on the scarce side. Well struck and with light brown lustrous surfaces, it is sure to please. $840
1843 N-16. Obverse and Reverse of 1844. MS-63 BN. Splendid olive-brown surfaces of incredible uniformity and smoothness. Sharply struck at the centers, some lightness on the stars as expected. A coin with a great deal of eye appeal. From Tony Terranova to a private eastern collection at $1,380, now to the present opportunity for you at $1,575
1844 N-5. AU-55. Lustrous brown surfaces. Above average in strike. Large cud break on the flat rim (does not reach the dentils) from 8, clockwise to star 1. A nice example of N-5, from Chris Victor McCawley, into the cabinet of an eastern numismatist. $390
1845 N-8. MS-64 RB, prooflike. A nice blend of red and brown color. Some light brush marks are seen when the coin is turned at an angle. Extremely sharply struck in all areas, designs as well as dentils, and perhaps definitive for study of the variety. From Tony Terranova a few years ago at $1,650, earlier owned by Herman Halpern (Stack’s, March 1988, Lot 571), Denis W. Loring, Ben Levin, and others—an illustrious roster. $1,850
A Splendid Offering of Large Cents
Emphasis on Middle Dates
Welcome to an extensive offering from a new consignment we recently received of large copper cents, mostly of the “Middle Date” series 1816 to 1839, a popular and rewarding area of specialty. Eye appeal and high quality are the order of the day, and each of these was selected with great care. Enjoy our listing, and pick out one for “type,” or use this to begin a fascinating specialty. The photographs of these Large Cents are not yet on our website, however, if you are interested in a piece please call Andrew Bowers at 1-866-811-1804. He will be happy to send you an image, a sort of "sneak peak" if you will!
1816 Newcomb-2. MS-63 RB (NGC). R-1. Ex B&M’s sale of the Phillip Flannagan Collection, November 2001, Lot 2626, to Tony Terranova, for $1,185. Described as Lot 2636: “1816 N-2. MS-63. Nearly full mint color, barely faded in the obverse fields. The reverse is entirely red and the obverse is perhaps 80% mint color. An outstanding specimen! We’ve seen many 1816 cents in Mint State, but we can never recall seeing one with this much original mint color still remaining, and not stained or spotted. Most contemporaries are from the Randall Hoard, in high grade but not necessarily attractive. The lustre is full and the eye appeal is exemplary. A minor abrasion is noted in the left obverse field and there are a couple of spots on the reverse. An exquisite specimen that stands head and shoulders above the crowd..” Today, several years later this coin is as lovely and desirable as ever. $1,350
1816 N-4. MS-63 BN. R-2 overall, considerably scarcer in full Mint State as here. Above average in striking, all star centers delineated, portrait bold, leaves veined, etc. Some usual lightness at dentils. Warm, lustrous medium-brown color. An ideal coin for anyone who “collects collectors” and enjoys pedigrees, this one having some great names attached to it! Sold a few years back by Tony Terranova for $1,250, earlier in the Bowers and Ruddy Galleries sale of November 10, 1972 (Lot 771), to Robinson S. Brown, Jr., Superior Galleries sale of September 30, 1986 (Lot 442), Herman Halpern, Stack’s sale of March 16, 1988 (Lot 291), J.R. Frankenfield, Julian Leidman, and Tom Reynolds. $1,450
1816 N-9. MS-63 BN (NGC). R-3. Rich and pleasing light brown lustre on both sides. Obverse with needle-sharp portrait. Some usual lightness at stars and border. Reverse well struck and deeply dentiled in most areas; small cud break on rim over TE (STATES). Scarce to begin with, this N-9 adds excellent eye appeal to the equation. This particular variety is decidedly rare in Mint State, with John D. Wright (1992) suggesting just 4 or 5. Today, with current interpretations, there are more than that with such classification, but N-9 remains hard to find. $2,435.
1817 N-2. AU-55. Lustrous medium brown surfaces, smooth and attractive. Typical strike for the variety, bold on most of the portrait (lower curl excepted), somewhat light around the borders. Tiny pinpr. at star 13. Somewhat scarce at this grade level, this coin appeared in Superior’s Pre-Long Beach Sale, October 200, Lot 1235; later was held by Chris Victor-McCawley; then went to a New York City numismatist; and here it is now in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. $1,950.
1817 N-5. MS-61 BN (NGC). R-3. A lovely example of this scarce variety, this N-5 has rich deep brown lustre on both sides. The striking is far finer than usually seen, the only exception worthy of mention being some non-unusual lightness at the top right of the wreath. The collecting of copper cents of the 1816-1820 years makes an interesting sub-set or specialty in its own right, examples being punctuated now and again from pieces from the Randall Hoard (typically with Mint color, but spotted). This cent came from Chris Victor McCawley to a New York numismatist a few years back. $1,750.
1817 N-8. Mouse variety. MS-62 BN (NGC). R-2. A lovely specimen from the Flannagan Collection, there graded AU-55 and captured by Tony Terranova, later to a private collector. Described in the catalogue as: “Superb lustrous chocolate brown and mahogany. Excellent eye appeal and the fields are immaculate. A planchet depression, as struck, is noted near star 5. Late die state with heavy radial erosion lines and the “peeking mouse” die break atop Liberty’s head. A few slide marks may be noted on Liberty’s hair with a glass. An impressively attractive specimen of this popular Mouse variety.” One nice thing about the field of large copper cents is that they tend to stay in numismatic hands, passing from one fine collection, one appreciative owner, to another. $1,280.
In the December 1891 issue of The Numismatist, editor Geo. F. Heath, M.D., ran this item, an early mention of what was undoubtedly the “Mouse Variety” of the 1817 large cent:
“R.A., Dublin…encloses the following from his scrapbook, and desires to know whether it is true or not. Will some of our correspondents give us light on the subject?
“‘Two big copper cents issued in 1817 are among the rarest in the coin collection of the Philadelphia Mint. These have the Liberty Head well defined, but on top of the head over the cap is a small protuberance which, under a microscope, appears as a crown. This was cut in the die by an English engraver, who thus covertly set the British Crown over the American Liberty Head.’”
1817 N-9. Mouse variety. MS-63 BN (NGC). R-2. Another example of one of the most famous issues among copper cents of this era, so called from a die break at the top of the hair of Miss Liberty. Medium glossy brown surfaces on both sides, highly lustrous. In keeping with N-9, the central details on the hair of Miss Liberty and on the wreath are quite sharp. The peripheral details are light, especially on the obverse, from die wear—which, of course, was instrumental in creating the rodent-like break that has attracted so much attention over the years. Ex Tony Terranova and Chris Victor McCawley. $1,700
1817 N-9. MS-62 BN (NGC). R-2. A Mouseless Mouse variety! Early state of the obverse die before the rodent-like die break occurred. If there is a positive aspect to this it is that the early die state is sharper, the field are finer in their plane-ness, and on the present coin the eye appeal is enhanced by rich brown lustre. $845
1817 N-10. MS-62 (BN). R-1. A very well struck piece, obverse and reverse, including star centers, hair, leaves, and dentils. Rich brown lustre with occasional nuances of mint red. Scarce so fine. A coin for the connoisseur. $1,640.
1817 N-11. MS-63 BN (NGC). R-1. Deeply and richly lustrous. Typical die state for N-11, late, and with die granularity on both sides—from a pair that did its duty well. Among coins of these era, such characteristics are often seen on cents and half dollars, but rarely on other denominations. Aspects of die use are not often mentioned in sales descriptions, but we find them to be quite interesting. A nice example of N-11 for the specialist. From Tony Terranova a few years back, at the odd price of $898. $1,120.
1817 N-13. MS-63 BN (NGC). R-1. A richly lustrous cent, so well struck that it could serve as a benchmark as to what details of this design look like! Blended light brown and medium brown tones. Assigned various grades over the years, this lovely coin comes with a pedigree that includes some favorite names in the hobby, including Superior Galleries’ sale of the Robert Matthews Collection, May 1989, Lot 553 (as MS-60); earlier in Stack’s sale of the Herman Halpern Collection, March 1988, Lot 346; earlier still from Stack’s sale of the “Alto” Collection, December 1970, Lot 557, thence to C. Douglas Smith, thence to Denis Loring, then through intermediaries into the Phillip Flannagan Collection, then to Tony Terranova. Putting together a variety set of 1817 cents is a pleasurable pastime. No doubt this coin will neatly end the search for an N-13. $1,250
1817 N-16. 15 Stars. AU-58 BN (NGC). R-1. Medium lustrous brown surfaces, significantly smoother and of higher quality than typically encountered. One of the most interesting, most curious varieties in the entire series. Obverse: 1 (1817) blunt 1, scarcely a vestige of a flag; script style 8; 7 with small serif upward from left side of top; 81 closest. 15 stars; the only such star count in the series. Fairly well struck; all dentils defined. Triangular die break below and right of ear., apparently as always (cf. John D. Wright, The Cent Book 1816-1839, 1992, p. 30). Reverse: T (CENT) slightly low. Doubled dentil at 6:15 o’clock. Perfect die. Impression is deeper at lower left and lighter at upper right, apparently the result of non-parallel die faces. Reverse die used on N-1 and N-16 of this year. Wright (p. 30): “This is the only blunt-1 one-cent die between 1801 and 1830. Ex Tom Reynolds. $2,250
This obverse invites study. Was it done by an apprentice or an amateur? The star count misses the standard of 13 by two, a more egregious error than the famous 1828 12-stars half cent and the famous and rare 1832 12-stars half eagle. Moreover, the spacing of the stars is somewhat irregular, not unique to the series by any means, but worth noting here. Stars 6-7 and 8-9 are significantly wider apart than are stars 7-8. The blunt 1 of the date is curious as well. Moreover, the die face was not parallel with the center line of the shank, with the result that on all specimens one side of the coin is more prominent than the other, this feature being most easily observed by checking the dentils on the reverse.
The mintage of the 1817 15-Stars cent is not known, but was probably several tens of thousands. Hundreds are known today, most of which grade below EF. Occasionally, EF coins are seen, and less occasionally, AU examples. Only a handful of true Mint State coins exist, mostly hovering around MS-60 on a realistic grading basis. Dave Bowers reports that he has never seen an example with original mint red, or has he ever encountered a gem. The famous Randall Hoard contained not a single example of this variety.
1818 N-1. MS-62BN (NGC). R-2+. Scarce at all levels. Light brown satiny unbroken luster on both sides, exceptional in quality in appearance. Fairly sharply struck on the portrait, some lightness of the stars as expected for N-1. Delicate die crack from 1, left through stars 1 and 2, reappearing at stars 5 and 6. Reverse especially sharply struck with bold dentils. Die alignment rotated about 45º to the left of the usual. A find for the advanced specialist. $1,130.
1818 N-6. MS-62 BN (NGC). R-1. Rich glossy lustrous brown surfaces bespeaking the appearance of fine old leather. Medium brown on the obverse, the reverse medium to light brown. Sharply struck at the centers. Obverse with some expected lightness on stars and dentils. Reverse sharp to the edge of the field, dentils light, again as expected on N-6. A delicate crack extends from the E (UNITED) clockwise through the letters to M (AMERICA). A handsome coin with an exceptionally generous measure of eye appeal. $860.
1818 N-10. MS-64 BN (NGC) with tinges of red. R-1. Rich brown lustre with much “life.” A few hints of mint red are seen here and there. Variety with die crack linking all the stars and the date on the obverse. Significantly above average in eye appeal. A splendid specimen of the date, variety, and grade. $745.
1819 N-2. Large Date. MS-64 BN (NGC). R-1. A lovely specimen out of the Geneva Sale a few years ago, there as Lot 49 with this commentary: “A wonderful example, nearly of gem quality, with outstanding frosty brown lustre on both obverse and reverse. Sharply struck. A later die state with the date and most stars connected by fine die cracks. Prominent die rust is visible on the reverse.” To the preceding the present cataloguer (QDB) adds the modification, sharply struck in most areas, and notable as such. However, some lightness, not unusual for N-2, is seen on a few stars and among the dentils. This specimen went to a New York City buyer, then to a New England cabinet. $1,225
1819 N-3. Small Date. AU-58 BN (NGC). R-3. Medium brown surfaces, smooth and with subtle lustre, an overall quality that is hard to find today. The striking at the centers and peripheral stars is quite good, finer than usually encountered. There is normal lightness at the dentils. This lovely coin went from Chris Victor-McCawley to a eastern numismatist, then a few years go into a New England collection at $1,410. Now it reappears to grace yet another fine cabinet. $1,675
1819 N-6. Small Date. MS-62 BN (NGC). R-1. Medium brown surfaces are glossy and uniform. The striking is of a high order of excellence, and this comment includes the dentils. To see this coin is to want to own it. This can happen, for $1,425
1819 N-9. Small Date. MS-64 RB (NGC). R-1. • Obverse: Date widely and quite evenly spaced; block-style 8. L (LIBERTY) quite low; repunching at I. The field is smooth and consisting, light brown with ample tinges of original mint red, especially around the portrait, the last having a diagnostic raised diagonal ridge on the neck. The stars are mostly well defined, including the centers, but are not bold. The dentils are light, as expected for N-9. • Reverse: 1st T (STATES) lightly repunched at left; 2nd S slightly low. T (CENT) deeply punched in die. The color and presence of lustre on the surface matches the obverse. A splendid N-9 that will be a delight to own. $985.
1820/19 N-3. MS-64 RB (NGC). R-2. A splendid coin, rich lustrous brown with many areas of original mint red, nicely blended together to create a stunning visual effect. This high-grade overdate was acquired a number of years ago from Tony Terranova at $4,850. Today, it should be a worthwhile acquisition for just $5,400
1820 N-10. Large Date. MS-64 BN (NGC). R-2. Well struck with beautiful light brown lustre evenly blended with a significant amount of original mint red color. Once again, quality comes to the fore. Off the market in recent times, this lovely cent can be yours for $985
1820 N-12. Large Date. MS-63 BN (NGC). R-3. Light brown surfaces on both sides with hints of original mint red. Glossy, smooth fields. Striking is typical for N-12. The dies were made by hand, and on the reverse of this issue the letters were not deeply punched in, although they are complete and quite satisfactory. From Stack’s, U.S. Gold, Silver & Copper Coins, October 20-21, 1999, Lot 154, then to three other numismatists. It is at once interesting and delightful that such coins jump around—and this applies even to great rarities in the American series—giving us all the opportunity to acquire needed specimens. $1,400
1820 N-15. MS-63 BN (NGC). R-2. A lustrous and thoroughly lovely example of N-15, this coin is well struck in most areas, has rich medium-brown lustre, and is a treat to the eye. On the reverse some tinges of original mint red can be seen. Quality such as this—a pristine coin that has never been “improved” or diddled with, is becoming increasingly more difficult to find on the market, as more people join the ranks of numismatists. $1,635
1821 N-1. AU-58 (NGC). R-1. A lovely example of this highly sought-after date and variety. Decent strike, some lightness at stars. Bold portrait, exquisite dental detail. Nicely blended medium brown surfaces with a few hints of mint color. A few scattered marks are typical of the grade. With a nice 1821 tucked away in your collection, your search for other basic Guide Book varieties will be made a bit easier, for nice 1821 cents are not easy to find. Ex Tony Terranova to a New England collection, now offered here. $6,250
1821 N-2. AU-58 BN (NGC). R-1. A nice strike, somewhat above average in sharpness. All stars show their centers, some light and others bold. Medium brown and tan surfaces. Some scattered marks are seen, typical of the grade category. As a date in the later series (1816-1857) the 1821 is second only to the 1823 in terms of rarity. Finding a truly nice cent of this year has been the goal of many collectors over the years, few of whom have landed one in the AU or finer category. $6,400.
It is on issues such as this that the Sheldon scale for rarity bottoms out; it is of not much use for a date or variety that overall is scarce or rare in terms of Guide Book listing and demand, but which is not common. In the Sheldon scale a coin for which 1,300 are estimated to exist is listed as R-1, as is one with 5,000 or 10,000 extant.
1822 N-2. MS-62 BN (NGC). R-2+. Well struck with light brown and highly lustrous surfaces, nicely blended. A few whispers of mint red are seen here and there. Cents of the year 1822 are often attractive, and this is no exception. As such coins are not known from any hoard, Mint State pieces are where you can find them, and this is not all that often. Ex Chris Victor McCawley to an eastern numismatist, to a New England cabinet, to here. $2,340
Although the date collector can be easily satisfied with just about any variety of 1822, as they have similar general features, “for the variety collector this year offers something far richer—a first rate challenge,” noted John D. Wright in his 1992 text.
1822 N-4. MS-62 BN (NGC). R-2. Light brown surfaces, highly frosty and lustrous, with some tinges of lighter (and completely original) color. Sharply struck at the centers and in most, but not all, other areas. A coin of compelling beauty, to see it is to want to own it. If eye appeal of a coin were to be rated on a scale of 1 to 100 (not that we need more numbers in the hobby), this would be in the 90s! Perfect dies, an early state. With raised compass or scribe line inside the obverse dentils. $2,600
1823/2 N-1. EF-45 (PCGS). Light brown surfaces of even, original color. Striking as usual for N-1, somewhat bolder on the reverse than on the obverse. Of all years in the later series of copper cents 1816 to 1857, the 1823 is far and away the most difficult to find. Of the varieties of 1823, the overdate (as here) and the perfect date, the overdate is seen more often. Although no data are available, it is our estimation that this particular coin is easily in the top 5% of known specimens, grade-wise. An important acquisition for the die variety specialist or for the more usual collector by Guide Book-listed varieties. From Chris Victor McCawley, July 1990, later in the Lucien La Riviere Collection sale. A dandy coin in every respect. $3,200
1823 N-2. AU-50. Lightly brushed at one time. Graded AU-55 many years ago. • Obverse: Block-type 8 (1823) with center thin; 2 with large open curl at top, curled base; 3 with point at top and ball at bottom. L (LIBERTY) slightly double punched, most evident just below upper left serif. Dentils at rim crumbled from just past star 4 to nearly halfway between 6 and 7, but with traces of two dentil spaces above upper left of star 6. This die was later used to create the 1823 “restrike” cent. • Reverse: Top of O (ONE) slightly high. Tops of CE (CENT) slightly higher than tops of NT. This die also used on 1824 N-5. Perfect die; no cracks. Dentils delineated but not bold. From Chris Victor McCawley in the late 20th century, at $4,200. Earlier from Gardens Coin Exchange, Palm Beach, FL, “coin from collection of John Dearden, copy editor, Saturday Evening Post.” Graded AU-55 at that time. Satisfaction guaranteed, of course. See it and you’ll like it. Not many 1823 cents are in such a high grade. A lovely coin today, one which except for the brushing would bring nearly twice our price of $4,900.
In 1859 in his American Numismatical Manual Dr. Montroville W. Dickeson commented concerning the cents of this year: “The number coined—obtained through letters from Washington—was 12,250. This coinage is not acknowledged in the Mint report, it being, from that authority, one of the years of non-coinage. The copper of this emission is pure and soft, hence the cents are much worn, and can be rarely found in a condition worthy of preservation. They command a premium.”
In 1879 Édouard Frossard was aware that the cents of 1823 were not available in high grades. He stated: “On account of the small number coined, the cents of this date are generally considered scarce, yet they are not unfrequently [sic] found in poor condition.”
1823 Restrike. MS-64 BN (NGC). Very sharply and carefully struck, albeit from rusted, shattered dies. A particularly choice exemplar of this favorite variety and long-time conversation piece. Medium brown patination. One of the nicest we’ve had. $1,830.
Notes: The 1823 “restrike” is not a restrike at all, but was produced outside of the Mint, using a rusted discarded cent die of 1823 in combination with one of an earlier year, the 1813 Sheldon-293. E.L. Mason, Jr., in Mason’s Coin and Stamp Collectors’ Magazine, March 1869, stated that such “restrikes” began appearing in quantity on the market in 1867. Earlier, scattered examples had been seen, priced at $3 each retail. Over a long period of time, many numismatists have ventured opinions concerning the genesis of these pieces. Lancaster (PA) dealer Charles Steigerwalt printed this in a catalogue in January 1901 (reiterated in The Numismatist the following month):
“So-Called Mint Restrike Cents: A certain kind of 1804 and 1823 cents have appeared in sale catalogues for years as ‘Mint Restrikes.’ The recent cataloguers may be excused on the plea of ignorance, but when these rank counterfeits are sold by those who have being doing so for years, it is time collectors knew their true character. While at a recent sale, the lacking information regarding the 1823 was given by an aged collector, who told how, years ago, he had found the dies in New York, probably sold with old iron from the Mint, brought them to Philadelphia, had a collar made, which was lacking, and the coins struck by a man named Miller on 7th Street that city. Later, the dies came into possession of a then leading dealer there and, when his store was sold out in 1885, the writer finding them among a lot of old dies purchased, they were at once destroyed so effectually that no more will ever come from that source.…”
While Steigerwalt claimed that he had destroyed the dies, his recollection was in error, for they were still in existence in the late 20th century.
Today, not much is known about “Miller,” the putative coiner in Philadelphia. A study of examples in existence today shows that such cents were restruck over a period of time. Likely, the “aged collector” who talked with Steigerwalt, stating he had found the dies in New York, was a later owner. Penny-Wise, September 1970, ran a feature on this coin, and a few years ago Mark Borckardt took a close look at this and other cent restrikes as part of the COAC gathering at the American Numismatic Society.
1824/2 N-1. AU-58 BN (NGC). R-2. Medium lustrous brown surfaces. One of the most elusive Guide Book-listed varieties of its era in higher grades. When found, the 1824/2 is usually far below the grade offered here. • Obverse: 1 (1824) with thick upright, curve to upper left top of flag; block-style 8; delicate loop at top of 2, curved base; virtually entire outline of under-digit 2 visible below 4, plain 4; all digits closely spaced, 24 closest. Die used on N-1 and N-5. Very delicate crack connects 1 (1824) with star 1; another delicate crack connects stars 6-1. Very well struck. • Reverse: 2nd S (STATES) slightly low and close to E. T (CENT) slightly low. Die crack through letters, etc., except at OF. Ex Chris Victor McCawley, late 20th century. $4,800
1824/2 N-1. AU-53 BN (NGC). A lovely specimen of this hard-to-find overdate. The great demand for these far exceeds the supply of pieces at the AU level. Lustrous, warm brown surfaces. A splendid coin. $3,400
1824 N-2. AU-58 (NGC). R-2. Lustrous brown surfaces. Another winning-quality cent, this from Chris Victor McCawley at $2,000 a few years ago. • Obverse: 1 (1824) with heavy upright, curved upper left to flag; block-type 8; delicate loop at top of 2, curved base; plain 4. L (LIBERTY) slightly repunched; most evident at top. Perfect die. Well struck. • Reverse: Top of N (CENT) slightly low. Center dot visible. Perfect die. A great addition to an advanced collection. $2,400
1825 N-3. AU-58 BN (NGC). R-3. Rich lustrous medium brown surfaces, uniform color on both sides. Sharply struck at the centers, some normal lightness on the stars. Some scattered marks typical for the grade. A coin with very nice eye appeal, one that has not been diddled with or “improved” in any way. Pristine specimens are increasingly hard to find. $2,300
1826 N-9 AU-58 BN (NGC). R-3. Fairly sharply struck; dentils delineated but not deep; perfect die. Medium brown lustre of consistent satin quality. Obverse: Block-style 8 (1826); delicate loop at top of 2, curved base; 82 closest spaced. Star spacing erratic (e.g., stars 6-7 are significantly closer than 9-10); star 11 repunched; raised tiny “teardrop” in field between two leftmost points of star 12. L (LIBERTY) slightly repunched; three tiny rectangles on top line of T; bases of IB and ERT touch or nearly touch. • Reverse: M (AMERICA) slightly repunched at left center. Base of O (ONE) slightly low; base of E slightly high. Tiny projection extends below upright of T (CENT). Small but clear center dot above upper left tip of N (CENT). $650.
1827 N-7. MS-61 BN (NGC). R-1+. Another cent with a generous quotient of eye appeal, this has light lustrous brown surfaces with tinges of original mint red. Striking is fairly good, a bit above average for N-7, but with some expected lightness at the stars. Putting together a nicely matched collection of large copper cents is not easy to do, and when it comes to scarcer dates—of which 1827 is one—choice pieces are apt to be widely spaced in market offerings. $2,200
1827 N-9. AU-58 (NGC). R-3. Another cent earning top honors for good old-fashioned eye appeal, this scarce and lovely 1827 N-3 has rich medium-brown surfaces, lustrous, and desirable in every way. The obverse has a delicate tracery of die cracks linking the stars and date. Probably as much as in any other American series, quite a bit of effort is needed to track down coins, grading assignment aside, that are really beautiful to behold. This is such a coin. From Tom Reynolds in sequence to two other numismatists. $1,950
1828 N-3. Large Date. MS-63 BN (NGC). R-2. Well struck on both sides, virtually definitive for checking out technical details of the design. Lustrous light brown surfaces with a generous quotient of eye appeal. A cent of very special quality! $1,850
1828 N-6. Large Date. MS-63 BN (NGC). R-1. Fairly well struck overall, save for a few star centers. Rich, coruscating brown lustrous surfaces, a delight to behold. Perhaps undergraded, or, in any event, seemingly a very “high end” MS-63 in terms of grading interpretations in the present market. This specimen earns high points for its beauty, but its pedigree must not be overlooked—and includes Henry Hines, the 1949 ANA Sale (Numismatic Gallery, Lot 1620), Dr. William H. Sheldon, Floyd Starr, and others. This coin landed as the plate specimen in Bill Noyes’ dandy book on the series. This is certainly a one-of-a-kind opportunity if you consider all of these features! $2,700
1828 N-10 Small Date. MS-62 BN (NGC). R-1 earlier, now recognized as R-2. A lovely specimen of this basically tough date. The N-10 is the only variety of this year with Small Date, a Guide Book-listed issue. This specimen is well struck save for some star centers, has light brown fields, and is stunning in its beauty and overall eye appeal. The most readily distinguished feature of the date is the 8, which with has a bold stroke from upper left, crossing the center, over a lighter stroke in the other direction—sometimes called a Script 8 (in contrast to the standard or Block 8, with a top lobe and a bottom lobe, and with the strokes of the same strength and the same level at the center. The 1 in the date seems to be from an older set of punches on hand and is slightly too large for the rest of the font; it is cut over a smaller 1, the right side of the shaft being barely visible under, say, 8X magnification. It was Mint practice at the time to order letter and numeral punches from outside suppliers. The lovely cent was in the W. Foster Schreeder Collection in the 1970s, later become part of the cabinet of J.R. (“Bob”) Grellman. $2,350
1828 N-11. Large Date. MS-62 BN (NGC). R-2. A well struck coin with medium brown-olive surfaces, lustrous, and with exceptional eye appeal. Indeed, it had a magnetic attraction for several of the greatest names in the annals of large copper cent study and appreciation. • Obverse: Block-style 8’s; curl-top 2 with curved base. Stars that point to beads: 2, 3, 4, 6 (left side of bead), 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. Border of round beads, many of which can be seen in completely circular form. Perfect die, no cracks, probably only lightly used for striking by this point. • Reverse: D (UNITED) slightly repunched to right. Border of round beads, some of which can be seen in completely circular form in the area from about 7 o’clock to 12 o’clock. Center dot above upper left tip of N (CENT). Perfect die. Ex New Netherlands Coin Co. section of ANA Sale, 1952, Homer K. Downing estate collection, Lot 2171, in pencil: “N-11 State b. MS-60.” Sold to Willard C. Blaisdell, then to Ted Naftzger (July 1976), graded by T.N. as MS-65, landing it right at the top of the Condition Census in William C. Noyes’ United States Large Cents 1836-1839 book. Of course, the grading of large copper cents is a subject of never-ending discussion, with Dr. Sheldon, for one, stating that possession of a coin is sometimes worth 5 grade points. If so, then this is a 67! Just kidding, but it is certainly a lovely piece. $3,400
1829 N-1. Large Letters. MS-62 BN (NGC). R-3. Highly lustrous medium brown surfaces. A coin with superb eye appeal. • Obverse: 1 (1828) with curved upper left to flag, heavy upright; 8 too small and of the script style; 2 with curl top and with heavy curved base; 9 with ball close to curve; 82 most closely spaced. L (LIBERTY) slightly low. Inner circle at dentil tips. Superb strike with excellent definition of portrait, stars, and dentils. Perfect die. • Reverse: E (ONE) possibly over smaller erroneous E, with too-small center serif still visible. E (CENT) slightly repunched. Sharp strike. Light crack from above upper right of M (AMERICA) through tops of ER. Slight clashmarks from hair bun outline can be seen at right inner side of wreath. From Tony Terranova some time ago, apparently from Del Bland, November 1988, at $3,000. $2,800
1829 N-2. Large Letters. MS-62 BN (NGC). R-2. A splendid specimen with enough eye appeal for two coins—and, to our way of thinking, eye appeal is one of the most important factors when seeking early copper cents. In addition, the 1829 date is just plain scarce, keeping good company with 1827 and 1828 in this decade, not as elusive as 1821 or, especially, 1822, but eclipsing any of the years of the 1830s. • Obverse: 1 (1828) with curved upper left to flag, heavy upright; 8 too small and of the script style; 2 with curl top and with heavy curved base; 9 with ball close to curve; 29 most closely spaced, slightly closer than 82. Star spacing erratic; stars at left are generally closer to the dentils than are stars on the right. L (LIBERTY) slightly repunched; base of E lower than base of adjacent R. Die used for N-2 and 3. Crack begins in field before star 1 and continues to link stars 1-4. Crack links stars 11-13 and extends lightly farther at each end. Dentils large and boldly defined. Well struck. • Reverse: E (CENT) repunched at left; N slightly repunched. Medium-size center dot. Dentils absent or vestigial from 9 o’clock to 1 o’clock; otherwise defined. $2,450
1829 N-6. Large Letters. MS-61 BN (NGC). R-1. A well-struck example, lustrous medium brown surfaces, and, again, a coin selected for its far above average eye appeal. From a Midwest source a few years ago, to Tony Terranova, into an eastern collection. A fine opportunity at $2,200
1830 N-1. Large Letters. MS-62 BN (NGC). R-1. Richly lustrous medium brown surfaces, glossy, beautiful, and quite exceptional within its parameters of date, variety, and assigned grade. • Obverse: Script-style 8 (1830); 3 with ball at top and bottom; all numbers close, but 18 closest, although the differential is minute. Prominent raised scribe line inside dentils and separated from them; incomplete below 18 (1830). L (LIBERTY) slightly low. A very well made die. Crack from rim, through star 2 and back to rim near star 3. Die lightly rusted overall. • Reverse: 2nd S (STATES) slightly low. N (ONE) leans slightly right. Medium-size center dot. This sturdy die is found on N-1 through N-7. Dentils visible all around border. Lightly rusted. $960
1830 N-1. Large Letters. MS-61 BN (NGC). R-1. Light brown surfaces of beauty and lustre. Quite well struck. Another splendid copper cent of a quality not often seen in the marketplace today. • Obverse: Dentils mostly vestigial. Fields with radial ridges indicative of extensive use. Scribe line incomplete below 18 (1830). Crack from rim, through star 1 and back to rim near star 2. Tiny crack from star 1 toward star 2, nearly reaching it. • Reverse: Dentils vestigial or absent from 9 o’clock to 12 o’clock. Die shows signs of use, but there are no cracks. $820
1830 N-2. Large Letters. MS-63 BN (NGC). R-2. Lustrous light brown with ample tinges of original mint red. Stars light at the centers, typical of N-2. New to the market now, this coin last sold for $2,205 a few years ago. $2,475
1831 N-1. MS-64 BN (NGC). R-1. A tiny planchet clip at left edge lends interest and rarity (noted on the holder, but not added to the price either at the time of acquisition or now). A rich, lustrous brown surface of exceptional quality and eye appeal, a “keeper” among examples of this variety and grade. The obverse is well struck, including at the star centers and hair detail, save for the center of star 1 and some lightness at the center of star 2. A delicate crack runs through the stars and date except for the interval from star 4 to 8. On the reverse the striking is exquisite, with excellent wreath detail and lettering. Ex Tony Terranova and Chris Victor McCawley. $1,435
1831 N-3. Medium Letters. MS-62 BN (NGC). R-1. Gorgeous light brown color, uniform on both sides, with rich lustre—a treat for the connoisseur. Well struck overall, save for some star centers. A lovely example of an N-3 cent, a sentiment no doubt shared by a string of earlier owners including T.R.M. (September 21, 1991), D. Bird (September 14, 1994, no. 765), Tom Reynolds, and Tony Terranova. $840
1831 N-6. Large Letters. MS-62 BN (NGC). R-1. Planchet lamination at CE (CENT), and certified as a mint error. Light chocolate brown surfaces, almost good enough for a nibble! Superb eye appeal and lustre. Broad, bold dentils on the obverse, characteristic. The lamination is a bit distracting, but to a collector of mint errors it will suit just fine. Take it home for just $670
1831 N-7. Large Letters. MS-64 BN (NGC). R-1. Well struck. Light brown surfaces are deeply frosty and are tinged with nuances of original mint color. A splendid cent that has not been “improved” or treated in any way and is simply pristine. A find for the specialist. $1,860
1831 N-8. Large Letters. MS-62 BN (NGC). R-3. A well-struck specimen of light brown color, richly lustrous, and with exceptional eye appeal. Not rare as a date, somewhat elusive as a variety, but decidedly special in terms of quality. $1,300
1832 N-2. Medium Letters. MS-63 BN (NGC). R-3. A splendid coin, lustrous light brown, above average in strike, and of compelling beauty. This coin has had a string of illustrious past owners, including but not limited to Dr. Charles A. Cass (Empire Collection, Stack’s, November 1957, Lot 253); Lester Merkin, private treaty; Del Bland; David Therrell; Dr. Jack Adams Collection (1982, Lot 572); Henry T. Hettger; Chris Victor-McCawley; and Tony Terranova. When acquired it was accompanied by an old slip noting: “The ever-present arc crack through the upper stars on the obverse; blundered reverse legend: TED originally punched too far left, then corrected; the next word, from remaining traces, was punched in as SATTES rather than STATES, then mostly ground off and repunched correctly. We have seen no mention of this blunder.” Be the next name on this list, for just $1,400
1832 N-3. Large Letters. MS-63 BN (NGC). R-1. Light brown color. A lovely cent, beautiful to behold, that has been enjoyed by several owners since it appeared in Lester Merkin’s sale of September 20, 1967, there as Lot 109. • Obverse: 1 (1832) with small pointed flag; script-style 8; 3 with balls at top and bottom; 2 with delicate curved top and heavy curved base. 18 widest; 32 closest. RTY (LIBERTY) either double punched or machine doubled. Above average strike. Perfect die. • Reverse: 2nd S (STATES) low. F (OF) slightly double punched on left side of upright. Raised “pimple” on left diagonal near center of M (AMERICA). O (ONE) leans left. T (CENT) sharply double punched. Above average strike. Perfect die. $1,475
1833 N-1. MS-63 BN (NGC). R-1. Lustrous light brown “as you like it” quality, superb eye appeal. Obverse about usual strike, reverse quite sharp. For a long time in the collection of James A. Ross, Scranton, PA (principal in Sprague & Henwood, drilling contractors), this lovely coin passed to his son Adrian, then across the block at Stacks, June 1990, Lot 1244. After that time it was owned by two or three other specimens, after which it alighted as Lot 204 in EAC Auction No. 4, January 1992, then to Robinson S. Brown, Jr., later as Lot 584 in his sale conducted by Superior (January 1996), then way out West, then to New York City, now here! $1,450
1833 N-3. MS-62 BN (NGC). R-1. Light brown surfaces, very lustrous. Lightly struck in areas, probably simply from “tired dies.” While this coin has nice eye appeal, it is perhaps best bought for the holder and label, not for the coin itself. If you are a connoisseur, wait for another opportunity, perhaps paying a bit more for a nicer piece. $625
1833 N-6. AU-58 BN (NGC). R-1. Very lustrous and with much eye appeal. Rich brown color. • Obverse: 1 (1833) with tiny upper projection at left in lieu of flag; script-style 8; both 3’s with knobs; spacing fairly even, slightly larger spacing of 83. R (LIBERTY) slightly repunched. Perfect die. Some stars light at centers; bold dentils; sharp portrait. • Reverse: 2nd S (STATES) distant and slightly low. N (CENT) double punched; T leans slightly left. Late state of the die. Cracks, double at some points, completely around border through lettering, etc. A very attractive N-6. $865
1833 N-5. MS-64 BN (NGC). R-1. A superb coin, above average in struck (but not needle sharp), with rich, glossy brown surfaces tinged with original mint red. A coin of magnetic appeal when viewed, a splendid specimen of the date and Newcomb variety. $1,450
1834 N-1. Small 8, Large Stars, Medium Letters. AU-58 BN (NGC). R-1. Richly lustrous brown surfaces, a coin with exceptional eye appeal. • Obverse: Tops of 1 (1834) and 4 high; script style 8; ball at top and bottom of 3; plain 4; all figures close, 83 closest. Dentils are seen to be in the form of pellets or beads in the areas in which such are visible; dentils are smaller than in previous years (this holding true for smaller dentils on later dies). Field granular from use. Crack links stars 2-12 and extends to close to star 13. Average strike. • Reverse: The Small Letters style permits wider spacing, such as between A (AMERICA), M, and E, which on Large Letters reverses are close. E (ONE) repunched at top. N (CENT) slightly repunched; small extension from base of T. Dentils long and of the old style; unlike those used on the obverse. Die used for N-1 of 1834 (as here) and also N-3 of 1835. Dentils weak or vestigial in some areas. Field granular from extensive use. Crack, sometimes ridge-line, clockwise through letters from 2nd A (AMERICA) around to first A in the same word. $580
In 1834 the country of Venezuela ordered 100,000 large copper cents, a request that was filled. In 1835 1,000,000 more were ordered, but it is not known how many were shipped (cf. R.W. Julian, The Numismatic Scrapbook Magazine, October 1972). John D. Wright, The Cent Book 1816-1839, 1992, stated that “it is safe to assume that over a quarter of our 3,878,400 cent mintage [of the 1835 year] sailed to the tropics.
1834 N-3. Large Date, Small Stars, Medium Letters. AU-58 BN (NGC). R-1. Medium brown surfaces are very lustrous. About typical strike for N-3. Some marks on the reverse above ONE are mentioned here, perhaps unnecessarily, as that is what grading numbers are for. A worthwhile example of this somewhat scarce variety. • Obverse: Date irregular, with medium-size 1, small 3, and large 8 and 4, a mixture of fonts(!); 8 is of the script style; 3 with ball at top and bottom; plain 4; 834 close. Small, delicate stars. Slight doubling of most letters in LIBERTY. Dentils attached to flat rim or border (unlike earlier styles in which the dentils extended fully to the border); dentils widely spaced. Die used for N-3 and 4 (first N-3, then N-4, then N-3 again). Fields granular from use. Crack extends in two directions Crack from star 5 toward adjacent stars but reaches neither; crack from rim near star 11 extends to connect stars 12-13 and continues to exit at dentils below 4 (1834). • Reverse: Base of O (OF) low. N (ONE) sharply repunched. C (CENT) possibly over smaller C and with thin trace of an earlier C at the top of the inside space in the letter; T with small extension from base of upright. Prominent center dot. Perfect die (no cracks), but with some granularity from use. $1,435
1835 N-7. Head of 1836. MS-62 BN (NGC). R-1. Lustrous medium brown with a few very light surface marks on the obverse. A pleasing example overall. From die state with minor die rust visible on both obverse and reverse. $760
1836 N-5. AU-58 BN(NGC). R-3. A lovely, lustrous, light brown specimen of this scarce variety. Well struck in most areas, light at star centers, this being usual. Ideal for the date and variety. $560
1837 N-1. Plain Hair Cords, Head of 1836, Medium Letters. MS-63 BN (NGC). R-3. Richly lustrous surfaces. Typical strike for this elusive die variety. Excellent eye appeal overall. Late state of the obverse die, with peripheral crack extending from the date, left through six stars, exiting at the border above star 7. Reverse with crack through the letters at the upper right. $945
1837 N-6. Plain Hair Cords, Head of 1836, Medium Letters. MS-60. R-2. A lovely N-6 cent, very well struck and with smooth, glossy brown surfaces. $560
1837 N-8. Plain Hair Cords, Head of 1836, Medium Letters. MS-64 BN (NGC). R-1. Lustrous light brown surfaces with tinges of red, the last seen on the reverse. Obverse sharply struck at the centers, some lightness at the borders, as expected. The reverse is very sharp overall. A tiny planchet chip is seen within the wreath. A splendid example of the date, variety, and assigned grade. $970
1838 N-1. MS-64 BN (NGC). R-1. Splendid lustrous brown surfaces with abundant tinges of red. Ideal as a basic type or a nice example for the variety collector. $780.
1839 N-3. Type of 1838. MS-65 BN (NGC). R-2. A gem specimen with deep, rich lustre over medium brown surfaces. Above average in strike and way above average in eye appeal. A splendid specimen of one of the earlier varieties of this transitional year, employing the traditional portrait punch used earlier, perhaps before Christian Gobrecht began his experiments with the appearance of Miss Liberty. $2,965.
1839 N-4. Silly Head. MS-64 BN (NGC). R-1. A deeply and richly lustrous example of one of the most famous and desired cent varieties of this era, from the charming Silly Head appellation, the origin of which is not known (except that it was in use by the late 1850s). The obverse is medium brown with a few hints of original mint red, while the reverse is brown with perhaps 25% original mint red. A very choice example—not rare as a die variety, but not often encountered with such excellent eye appeal. $3,875
Among copper cents of 1839 there are a handful of basically different portrait varieties. It is likely that Christian Gobrecht, de facto chief engraver at the Mint (although he would not officially take that designation until the incapacitated William Kneass died in 1840) chose this denomination to experiment with designs. A collection of varieties of this date alone would be the most varied of any year of the later 1816-1857 era.
1839 N-5. Booby Head, no line under CENT. MS-64 BN (NGC). R-1. Glossy brown surfaces. • Obverse: 8 (1838) is of the script style. 3 with curl at top, ball at bottom; 839 close. Base of T (LIBERTY) embedded in hair curl. Booby Head portrait; right “corner” of neck truncation visible and hair goes under it. Dentils of medium length and with spaces between. Well struck in all areas. Tiny planchet rift in dentils just below star 2. • Reverse: TA (STATES) and TE widely separated; 2 S low. AM (AMERICA)O and RI close; IC widest separation. Upper left serif of T (CENT) nearly disconnected. No line under CENT. Die used for N-5, 7, and 12. Perfect die. A pleasing example of this, one of the most often seen of the Booby Heads. Still, at the MS-64 level this coin is scarce if not rare. $2,250
1839 N-5. Booby Head. MS-61 BN (NGC). R-1. A very distinctive variety, arranged in a cameo style, with large portrait with small stars surrounding. On the reverse the wreath is delicate and the letters are small, this way to begin with, then made all the thinner by relapping. Lustrous, brown, and very attractive. A “keeper” for this popular variety. First order gets it for $1,345
1839 N-11. Booby Head. MS-63 BN (NGC). R-1. Richly lustrous deep brown surfaces. Late state of the dies and with indistinct dentils in most areas. Take your pick of grades; earlier it was NGC MS-64 BN (1270891-002). The cents of 1839 make an interesting specialty into themselves, and this coin would be a dandy addition to such a set. $1,750
1839 N-12. Booby Head. EF-40. R-4. Dark brown surfaces, glossy, but somewhat porous. A late die state of this ever-popular variety; crack from border to star 4 to portrait. One of the tougher coins of the year, N-12 has been in strong demand. Among coins of this die combination, this seems to be among the top 10 or so finest known. In 1992 this particular variety was the subject of speculative “combat” between two numismatists, notes John D. Wright. Ex Joe Dooley Sale, January 11, 1997, Lot 438, intermediate owners, Tony Terranova, to an eastern numismatist at $900 a few years ago. $980
1839 N-13. Booby Head. MS-61 BN (NGC). R-1. Nicely struck. Medium brown surfaces, lustrous and attractive. A specimen with a good quotient of old-fashioned eye appeal. Cents of the Booby Head style are nicely proportioned on the dies, with delicate wreath and lettering, etc. Today, the result seems to be far finer than the “heavy” style in effect beginning with the latter part of 1843 and continuing to 1857. Ex Stack’s 65th Anniversary Sale, October 2000, Lot 86, later to a New York numismatist, now offered here. $1,260
1842 N-4. Large Date. MS-60 BN. A well struck, pleasing specimen with medium brown toning over smooth, even fields. Eye appeal par excellence! From Tom Reynolds, Omaha, to Tony Terranova, into an eastern collection, and now offered here. $590
1842 N-8. Large Date. MS-65 BN (NGC). Superbly struck in all design areas, including the portrait, stars, wreath, and lettering. Dentils complete but with some lightness. The fields of both sides were carefully lapped at the Mint, giving them an usually perfect, pristine character. Medium brown and olive with a few hints of original Mint red. Quality personified! $980.
1843 N-3. Obverse and Reverse Style of 1842. MS-62 BN (NGC). R-3+, challenging R-4. Scarce at all grade levels. About typical strike for N-3, needle sharp in some areas, particular at the centers, some slightly lightness of strike in other areas. Striking is a moot point to nearly all buyers in the market today, for holders do not mention it, and few cataloguers do either. The present coin has beautiful, consistent medium brown lustre on both sides, satiny in quality. A splendid coin. $840.
Varieties of the 1843 copper cent with the Obverse and Reverse Style of 1842 represent last of the old-style positioning of the Liberty Head, this configuration has the portrait tilting sharply forward, the style originated in 1839 and used from then until part of 1842. The reverse is also of the old style, with small letters, imparting a nice visual effect to the issues. Exactly why the Mint abandoned the small letters on cents, quarter dollars, half dollars, and certain gold coins is not known, but perhaps they should not have. Among copper cents 1843 was a year of transition.
1843 N-4. Obverse Style of 1842, Reverse Style of 1844. MS-62 BN (NGC). Medium to dark brown surfaces, consistent color, this being typical of the planchet stock used for N-4. Both sides are from late die states. • Obverse: Portrait of Liberty seems tilted forward. 8 (1843) directly under lowest point of bust; curl tip above and slightly left of center of the upright of 4. Lightness of strike at center. Late state of the die with granular surface and some erosion, but no cracks. • Reverse: Some light granularity from die use, but no cracks. $1,450
The order of Newcomb listings vis-à-vis the transition of the design styles is erratic for this year, but not as erratic as for 1839. If the subject of die varieties of 1816-1857 die varieties is ever revisited from a zero-based concept, it would be nice to arrange the issues in the best order of emission that can be ascertained. However, even with the best of thought there is no certainty, for sometimes the Mint used old dies after new styles had been adopted.
1843 N-12. Obverse and Reverse Style of 1842. MS-64 RB (NGC). R-2. Sharply struck, save for a few star centers. Rich lustrous brown surfaces with a delightful mixture of original mint red—the type of quality and eye appeal that is long sought but not often found. The present coin has kept company with some of the finest names in the hobby, including Lester Merkin (sale of March 1969, Lot 683), Robinson S. Brown, Jr., the McCawley-Grellman duo (sale of July 1994, Lot 219), and Tony Terranova, among others. $1,575
1843 N-15. Obverse and Reverse Style of 1842. MS-63 BN (NGC). R-3. Another example of the early-style cent design configuration of the year—distinctive and interesting. The present variety is on the scarce side. Well struck and with light brown lustrous surfaces, it is sure to please. $840
1843 N-16. Obverse and Reverse of 1844. MS-63 BN. Splendid olive-brown surfaces of incredible uniformity and smoothness. Sharply struck at the centers, some lightness on the stars as expected. A coin with a great deal of eye appeal. From Tony Terranova to a private eastern collection at $1,380, now to the present opportunity for you at $1,575
1844 N-5. AU-55. Lustrous brown surfaces. Above average in strike. Large cud break on the flat rim (does not reach the dentils) from 8, clockwise to star 1. A nice example of N-5, from Chris Victor McCawley, into the cabinet of an eastern numismatist. $390
1845 N-8. MS-64 RB, prooflike. A nice blend of red and brown color. Some light brush marks are seen when the coin is turned at an angle. Extremely sharply struck in all areas, designs as well as dentils, and perhaps definitive for study of the variety. From Tony Terranova a few years ago at $1,650, earlier owned by Herman Halpern (Stack’s, March 1988, Lot 571), Denis W. Loring, Ben Levin, and others—an illustrious roster. $1,850
Always took candy from strangers
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
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Comments
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire