1799/8 1C, BN MS(PCGS#1446)

1799/8 1C, BN MS (PCGS#1446)

Spring 2026 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Lot Description: Breen Die State IV. Deep chocolate with some lighter golden color visible on both sides. Uniform microgranularity is also present. Possibly cleaned at some long-ago time, now retoned. A classic key date rarity in the large cent series, both as an overdate, as here, and also the "normal" date variety. All the design elements are present if somewhat weak in places, and despite its shortcomings, the present piece is still highly desirable and will do well when it enters the auction arena.<p>The Bland census published in the 2000 reference <em>Walter Breen's Encyclopedia of Early United States Cents: 1793-1814</em> recorded just six examples of this die state, the well-known and highly regraded specimen offered here ranked CC#2 with an EAC grade of Good 6. The finest is the ANS coin, which Bland grades EAC Fine 12. Since then a few more examples of Sheldon-188 in Breen Die State IV have been confirmed, the number climbing to seven at the time of Ira & Larry Goldbergs' 2009 sale of the Dan Holmes Collection. More recent discoveries include the PCGS EF Details--Environmental Damage coin in Heritage's March 2016 ANA Signature Auction and an NGC Fine Details--Corrosion example that appeared in the firm's April 2021 CSNS Signature Auction. Die State IV examples of S-188 remain rare, nonetheless, and that offered here is among the most desirable due to both its high Condition Census standing and status as the discovery coin for the die state.