1812 1C S-288, Large Date, BN MS(PCGS#36505)

Spring 2026 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

2234

Grade

MS63BN

Price

20,400

Lot Description

Breen Die State III. An outstanding Classic Head cent just right for the most advanced specialist or type collector. Glossy and highly lustrous surfaces give this piece exceptional eye appeal. This is a very challenging type to find as nice as seen here and any such example is truly a pleasure to study. Both dies exhibit late state characteristics such as heavy flowlines in the fields and very weak denticles, where they remain at all. The excellent luster is largely due to the die state. Still, the detail in the motifs remains pleasantly sharp throughout. Medium to deep brown copper in the fields, with nuances of lilac and steel. Just into the Condition Census for the variety, it is given an EAC grade of MS60 by Del Bland and ranked as tied for CC#4 in his 2000 census.<p>A fine provenance back to the 1878 sale of the H.E. Jones Collection adds considerably to the appeal of this lovely coin. While the Jones sale is little recognized today, it included a few lovely early American Gems in copper and silver. From there, the coin passed through the hands of several collectors widely recognized today for their quality coppers such as Thomas Cleneay in the 19th century and Herman Halpern, Wallace Lee and Paul Gerrie. It appeared more recently in our August 2015 sale of selections from the magnificent Cardinal Collection, famous for high quality large cents as well as early dollars and other beautiful properties selected by a true connoisseur of the modern era. Later included in the collections of the Thaddeus A. Tatum III and the Widmer Family, this highly regarded 1812 S-288 is eagerly awaiting inclusion in another renowned numismatic cabinet.