1811 1C S-287, BN MS(PCGS#36496)

1811 1C S-287, BN MS (PCGS#36496)

Spring 2026 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Losbeschreibung: Breen Die State III. Richly toned surfaces exhibit mottled steely-copper peripheral highlights to otherwise dominant medium brown patina. The persistent viewer aided by direct lighting will also discern faint traces of faded pinkish-rose mint color here and there around the peripheries, most notably clinging to several of the stars on the obverse. The impression is drawn trivially to 3 o'clock with no border denticulation at right, although all design elements are boldly to sharply rendered. Minor marks below the end of Liberty's bust on the obverse and in the reverse field above the word ONE are noted, although they require magnification and intent to discern. The in-hand appearance is pleasingly smooth, in fact, and the texture is frosty with some nice gloss.<p>There are only two known die marriages of the 1811 cent, and they are easily distinguished because one is an overdate and the other a "perfect" date. Sheldon-287 is the "perfect" date, also identifiable by a prominent die scratch in the left obverse field from star 5 toward Liberty's nose. Both varieties also employ different reverse dies, that used to strike S-287 without a defect in the field under the letter E in ONE and with the tip of the uppermost leaf in the wreath just past the final letter S in STATES. The Classic Head cent is a conditionally challenging type as a whole, certified Mint State examples such as this rare irrespective of date or die pairing.