Walter Breen's Encyclopedia of Early United States Cents

Obverse 14. In the date, thin elements of 00 are thicker than usual (not easily identified in low grades). B is slightly low. Left base of Y partly corrected, but on later states it again appears broken away. Usually identified by the heavy clash marks of state III.

Reverse S.

Edge: Plain edge (PE).

Die states: I. Perfect obverse die. Very rare.

Il, Obverse clash marks in the right field from bases of ERIC. No clash marks from leaves. The reverse crack through RICA is still faint.

III. At least three sets of clash marks, plainest below the chin and near the ribbons. Reverse crack through RICA is plain, as is the new crack in the field below RIC.

IV. Additional clash marks, notably from ME near the right obverse rim.

V. Still more clash marks, notably from RICA near the right obverse rim. Cracked through AM, at first faint.

VI. Reverse crack is now continuous from AM down through ER, bases of IC, and final A, to the right ribbon end.

VII. Narrow rim break below the fraction and right ribbon end.

Equivalents: McGirk 4K. Ross 14:10-1. Clapp-Newcomb 22. Sheldon 209. EAC 20. Encyclopedia 1737.

Rarity 3.

Remarks: Discovered by Dr. Charles E. McGirk. Sheldon made a point of describing how the "bold" bottoms of 00 in the date were characteristic of this obverse. The coin illustrated on plate 37 of both Early American Cents and Penny Whimsy fails to show this, as do many specimens weakly struck in the date area.

The pattern of breaks and clash marks suggests axial die misalignment with the left obverse and reverse weakest.

Condition Census:

MS-62 Found in an old collection in 1966 by William Van Roden, 1966 • Dorothy Paschal • Dr. William H. Sheldon, 4/19/1972 • R. E. Naftzger, Jr., 2/23/1992 • Eric Streiner • Jay Parrino (The Mint), 4/16/1995 • W. M. "Jack" Wadlington. State II. Obverse and reverse illustrated in Noyes.

AU-55 From a collection formed in the 1890s and consigned to Mayflower Coin Auctions 7/1962: 86 $625. Frank H. Masters, Jr. • Rare Coin Company of America 5/1971: 133 $475 • R. E. Naftzger, Jr. • New Netherlands Coin Co. 11/1973: 524 $650 • Julian Leidman • Mulfor B. Simons, Jr. (Penn Valley Coin Shoppe).

AU-50 With some blunt striking. T. Harrison Garrett • Robert Garrett, 1919 • John Work Garrett • Johns Hopkins University • Bowers and Ruddy Galleries 11/1979: 97 $1,300 • Dr. Thomas S. Chalkley • Superior Galleries 1/1990: 408 $5,060 • Robinson S. Brown, Jr.• Superior Stamp & Coin Co. 1/1996: 292 $8,250 • Wes A. Rasmussen. State III. Obverse illustrated in the 1879 Frossard monograph.

AU-50 Henry C. Hines • Dr. William H. Sheldon.

Dorothy Paschal • Allen E. McDowell • Jake Hendin, 4/1976 • Del Bland • Larry Whitlow (Ford City Coins & Stamps, Ltd.) • William R. T. Smith, 10/1978 • Douglas F. Bird, 4/13/1990 • Jeffrey Oliphant.

EF-45 Jerry Kolar • Dr. Robert J. Shalowitz, 1/1975 • Dr. Sheldon Freed, 8/17/1983 • Jack H. Robinson • Superior Galleries 1/1989: 441 $4,180 • Gary Ruttenberg • M & G Auctions 8/1996: 200 $6,600 • Steven K. Ellsworth.

EF-45 Henry C. Hines • Homer K. Downing • 1952 ANA (New Netherlands Coin Co. #38): 1867 $125 • C. Douglas Smith, 1971 • Robinson S. Brown, Jr. • Superior Galleries 9/1986: 306 $1,595 • Dr. Michael Eisenberg. State V. Reverse illustrated in Early American Cents and in Penny Whimsy.

EF-40 John P. Young • M. H. Bolender #181, 9/1951: 171 $60. R. E. Naftzger, Jr. • Denis W. Loring, 1/1972 • Dr. Dane B. Nielsen. Myles Z. Gerson, 11/1980 • Fred H. Borcherdt.

EF-40 Thomas P. Warfield, privately • Dorothy Paschal • Charles E. Harrison, 8/1991 • Denis W. Loring, 9/1991 • Bill Nelson.

EF-40 Sharpness of AU-50 but traces of verdigris. Purchased unattributed on 5/17/85 from Cherry Creek Coins by John Boise • Robinson, Victor-McCawley (RVM) • Dale Schaffer • Denis W. Loring • Dr. Philip W. Ralls, 4/27/1991 • Robert W. Everett (Classical American Coins).

VF-35 Hollinbeck Kagin Coin Co. • 1964 ANA (Federal Brand Enterprises): 81 $950 • Hollinbeck Kagin Coin Co. • unknown • Heritage Numismatic Auctions 9/1996: 5052 $3,520 • Thomas D. Reynolds FPL #88, 2-3/ 1997 $6,500.

VF-35 Howard R. Newcomb • J. C. Morgenthau & Co. #458, 2/1945: 303 $55 • J. C. Morgenthau & Co. #461, 5/ 1945: 303 $26.

VF-30 F. C. C. Boyd, 1936 • Willard C. Blaisdell, 9/ 15/1976 • R. E. Naftzger, Jr. • Robert E. Vail, 11/21/1988 • Del Bland • Dr. Philip W. Ralls • Superior Galleries 9/1993: 107 • Dan Demeo.

VF-30 Pullen & Hanks 11/1982: 39 $300 • John Sype, 4/1991 • James H. Goudge, 6/1991 • Don Valenziano, Jr. State V.