1787 Fugio 1C United States, 4 Cinq, BN MS(PCGS#889)

The March 2010 Baltimore Auction

Auctioneer

Bowers & Merena

Lot Number

84

Grade

MS66

Price

21,850

Lot Description

1787 Fugio Copper. Pointed Rays. W-6740, Newman 8-B. URS-12. UNITED STATES, 4 Cinquefoils. MS-66 BN (PCGS). By Fugio Copper standards Newman 8-B is a plentiful die marriage in Mint State. Most such pieces trace their pedigree to the Bank of New York Hoard, in which some 246 examples of Newman 8-B resided as late as 1948. A common pedigree is where the similarity between this PCGS-certified Gem and most other Mint State examples of the die pair comes to an abrupt end. A simply exquisite piece, both sides are remarkably smooth with rich, even, glossy-copper patina. The planchet stock is superior by Fugio Copper standards, and it is virtually perfect apart from an extremely minor, barely perceptible flaw (as made) at the lower-right obverse border. Post-production detractions are conspicuous by their absence, leaving an appearance that is as close to pristine as this cataloger has ever seen in a Fugio Copper of any variety. The strike is drawn toward the top just a bit, effacing the denticles in those areas, but it is otherwise expertly rendered with bold-to-sharp definition throughout. The highest-graded example of the UNITED STATES, 4 Cinquefoils <em>Guide Book </em>listed on the <em>PCGS Population Report</em>, this Condition Census Gem belongs in the finest cabinet.<br />     The Newman 8-B die marriage is known in three different states. The present example is a middle die state with a straight die crack (as struck) from the obverse rim to the top of the first 7 in the date and a reverse die crack (also as made) from the reverse rim into ring 10. This piece also exhibit fairly bold clashmarks (again, as struck) on the reverse at both the upper and lower borders.