1813 1C S-293, BN MS(PCGS#36514)

August 2018 ANA U.S. Coins Auction Philadelphia, PA

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

1053

Grade

AU58BN

Price

7,800

Lot Description

Near Mint 1813 Classic Head Cent Sheldon-293 1813 Classic Head Cent. S-293. Rarity-2. AU-58 BN (PCGS). A medley of dark cocoa and rich caramel hues intermingle across each side of this wonderful specimen. The complexion is lightly glossy, though still shows considerable mint luster throughout the fields. The peripheries display a minor softness associated with a later die state but the central elements remain boldly defined and intricate. An attractive and ideally preserved example lacking in any noteworthy imperfections. We first handled this piece in November 1985 as part of our sale of the Abe Kosoff Estate. We remarked that "of those achieving borderline Mint State Condition Census status, it is doubtful that any could exceed the outstanding appearance and overall quality of this specimen. Over 30 years later, this sentiment holds true. In fact, the catalog description from the 2013 sale of the Gerrie Collection notes that this coin was previous certified by PCGS as MS-62 BN, and we have no reason to doubt that optimistic assessment. There are only two known die marriages of the 1813 issue, and they are readily distinguishable by looking at the spacing between the digit 3 in the date and star 13 on the obverse, as well as the position of the uppermost leaf in the reverse wreath relative to the closest letters in the legend. On Sheldon-293, as represented here, star 13 is close to the digit 3 in the date and the tip of the uppermost leaf is almost midway between the words STATES and OF. Provenance: From the Collection of Thaddeus A. Tatum III. Earlier ex Abe Kosoff; our (Bowers and Merena's) sale of the Abe Kosoff Estate, November 1985, lot 138; Robert G. Schick, Heritage's 2002 January FUN Sale, lot 5359; Dr. Wallace Lee; Superior's sale of May 2003, lot 568; March Wells; McCawley & Grellman Auctions'/Superior Galleries' sale of February 2009, lot 640; Paul Gerrie; Ira and Larry Goldberg's sale of the Gerrie Collection, February 2013, lot 82. PCGS Population: 2; 1 finer in MS-65 (S-293 variety only). PCGS# 36514. NGC ID: 224X. Click here for certification details from PCGS.