(1795) Penny Liberty and Security, BN MS(PCGS#767)

June 2020 U.S. Coins Auction

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

245

Grade

AU50BN

Price

1,200

Lot Description

Undated (1795) Liberty and Security Penny. Musante GW-45, Baker-30D, W-11060. ASYLUM Edge. Fire-Gilt Copper. AU-50 (PCGS). A sharply defined, superior quality example of this intriguing fire-gilt variant of the Liberty and Security penny. Essentially complete gilding remains on the reverse, that side toned in a lovely golden-rose hue. On the obverse, brassy-gold gilding around Washington's portrait and in isolated peripheral areas gives way to warm sandy-tan patina elsewhere. A few minor rim nicks are common for the type. The surfaces are overall smooth, and the reverse has much of the original satin to softly frosted texture remaining. Typically encountered in high grades, these gilt pieces were made expressly for cabinet purposes. Survivors are rare, however, and the Rulau-Fuld Washingtoniana reference estimates that only about nine examples were known as of the 1999 printing. PCGS# 767. Click here for certification details from PCGS.