1803 1C S-261, BN MS(PCGS#36407)

February 2020 Pre-Long Beach U.S. & World Coin Auction #115

Auctioneer

Goldberg Auctioneers

Lot Number

114

Grade

MS63BN

Price

13,800

Lot Description

Lot 114 1803 S-261 R2 Large Fraction. PCGS graded MS-63 Brown.Lustrous tan and light brown blending to darker steel brown and light chocolate on the highpoints of the devices. The only notable marks are two small spots of darker reddish brown toning (not carbon), one on each side of the first A in AMERICA, and another between the tops of C & A. Has the eye appeal of a mint state cent but there is a hint of friction on the highest points of the devices. MDS, Breen state III, with die cracks on the obverse but without any trace of swelling in the field left of the lowest curl. Graded MS60 net AU55 and tied for finest known honors in the Noyes census, his photo #21129. Bland says AU55 and tied for CC#2. Our grade is AU58+. (Note: The obverse die for S-261 was salvaged from mint scrap decades after disposal and, following an alteration to the date, was used to produce the popular 1804 "Restrike" cents.) The attribution and Doug Bird Collection provenance are noted on the PCGS label. PCGS population 1; none finer.(PCGS # 36407) Value $12,000 - UP Ex Frederick W. Geiss, B. Max Mehl #109, 2/18/1947:81-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., 1989 EAC Sale, lot 150 (as MS60)-Douglas F. Bird Collection (includes the Naftzger collection envelope and EAC Sale lot ticket).