1839 1C N-8, Type of 1840, RB MS(PCGS#37266)

The January 2013 Americana Sale

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

13059

Grade

MS65

Price

38,188

Lot Description

1839 Braided Hair Cent. N-8. Rarity-1. Noyes Die State B/A. Type of 1840. MS-65 RB (PCGS). CAC. <strong>Die Variety: </strong>Newcomb-8 is one of 15 varieties for the date and the only variety with the head style of 1840 and later; 1839 is renowned for its proliferation of various head styles. The forward-leaning and slender rendition of Liberty by Christian Gobrecht offered on Newcomb-8 of the date is one of the loveliest of all large cent designs; in later years, particularly after 1843, Miss Liberty becomes stockier in appearance and more upright in stature.<br /> <strong>&nbsp;<br /> Die State:&nbsp;</strong>Early middle state, dentils just beginning to "soften." Circular lathe marks present across Liberty's portrait; these no doubt faded quickly after the die saw service.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> <strong>Strike: </strong>Sharp throughout with full radials on all the obverse stars and all the reverse wreath details. <strong>&nbsp;<br /> </strong><br /> <strong>Surfaces:</strong>&nbsp;Both sides are fully brilliant and the mint orange completely dominates any other shade. Aside from a small toning spot, visible on the obverse at Liberty's neck, no other marks of consequence are noted. Our consignor notes the present piece is the <strong>"most red of any Head of 1840 cent,"</strong> a&nbsp;notion&nbsp;with which we concur, as we have seen no comparable pieces in recent memory.<br /> &nbsp;<br /> <strong>Census Rankings: </strong>New to the rankings and not seen by either Noyes or Bland at the time of this writing.<br /> <strong>&nbsp;</strong><br /> <strong>Pedigree: </strong>Heritage's Baltimore, Maryland ANA U.S. Coin Auction, July-August 2008, lot 1515; Cardinal Collection.<br /> <br /> <strong>Notable Appearances: </strong>The 2008 Heritage offering of this particular piece marked its debut in numismatic circles.<br /> <br /> <strong> Commentary:&nbsp;</strong>What a way to start the Braided Hair series. Interestingly, Newcomb did not arrange the die varieties in or