1849 1C, RB MS(PCGS#1887)

August 2020 U.S. Coins Auction

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

1134

Grade

MS65RB

Price

5,280

Lot Description

Lustrous Red and Brown 1849 Braided Hair Cent Significant N-22 Attribution 1849 Braided Hair Cent. N-22, 6. Rarity-1. MS-65 RB (PCGS). CAC. Type:Braided Hair. Design: Obv: A head of Liberty faces left with 13 stars around the border and the date 1849 below. She is wearing a coronet inscribed LIBERTY, her hair tied into a bun at the back of her head by a beaded cord. Rev: A circular wreath encloses the denomination ONE CENT with the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the border. Weight Standard: 10.89 grams. Diameter: 27.5 mm. Die Variety: Newcomb-22, 6. Obv: There is a concentration of more or less strong die lines around the middle curl at the back of Liberty's head, a few lighter die lines are evident at the throat below the chin, and a tiny die spur slants down to the left from Liberty's upper lip. The 1849 N-22, 6 attribution represents the only use of this obverse die. Rev: There is a sharp vertical die line within the top of the letter E in CENT. The 1849 N-22, 6 attribution also represents the only use of this reverse die. All die marriages of this issue correspond to the only Guide Booklisting of the 1849 Braided Hair cent. Die State: Grellman b, Noyes A/B. Obv: All die lines and the spur are still visible except for those above the middle curl, of which only a few are partially discernible. Rev: Die lines at MERIC in AMERICA from the earliest state of this die are no longer visible. These obverse and reverse die states correspond to the 1849 N-22 attribution. Edge: Plain. Mintage for the Issue: 4,178,500 coins. Estimated Surviving Population for the Die Variety: Rarity-1: More than 1,500 coins in all grades. Strike: A smartly impressed example with the borders and virtually all design elements sharply to fully rendered. Accuracy alone compels us to mention bluntness to a few of the stars on the obverse, which lack radial lines. Surfaces: Much of the original rose-orange mint color remains on the obverse, with minimal toning in steely-brown. The reverse is more boldly and extensively patinated in gray and olive-brown, although appreciable mint color remains on that side, as well. Both sides are frosty and virtually pristine. A few tiny spots on Liberty's neck and in the field around stars 7 and 8 mentioned solely as identifiers. Commentary: Thanks to the discovery and distribution of a small hoard, Mint State examples of the 1849 Newcomb-6 attribution/die state are obtainable with relative ease in today's market. The ESM specimen from these dies, however, is noteworthy as a high grade survivor from the early 1849 N-22 attribution. Tied for CC#2 in the Noyes census with one other coin, this is a significant coin that is sure to appeal to advanced large cent enthusiasts. Provenance: From the ESM Collection. Earlier ex Myles Z. Gerson; R.E. "Ted" Naftzger, Jr.; Heritage's sale of the Joshua and Ally Walsh Collection of United States Cents, January 2006 FUN Signature Auction, lot 642. PCGS Population (all die marriages of the issue): 18; 3 finer in this category (MS-66 RB finest). PCGS# 1887. NGC ID: 226F. Click here for certification details from PCGS.