1807 1C Comet, BN G4BN Certification #16371796, PCGS #1531

CoinFacts Details

Expert Comments

Ron Guth

The "Comet" variety of the 1807 Large Cent is so-named because of a flaw in the left obverse field that connects the rim with Liberty's hair just above the hairbow. This flaw is unique to the Sheldon-271 variety and does not appear on any other 1807 obverse. However, the flaw itself is not diagnostic of the S-271 variety, as early states of the dies are perfect and do not show the flaw. In actuality, this die contains numerous flaws that appeared and worsened asa the die aged. The additional flaws included numerous die clashes, a parallel, raised line in the right obverse field in front of Liberty's face, and a horizontal crack across her bust at the throat level. This is a very popular variety because of the obvious flaw and the numerous die states.

Though this is a fairly common variety, it is difficult to locate in high grade, especially Mint State. As of March 2011, PCGS had certified only eight Mint State examples, five in MS-63BN, one in MS64BN, and two in MS65RB. None have been grade finer and full Red examples are known.

PCGS #

1531

Designer

Robert Scot

Edge

Plain

Diameter

28.00 millimeters

Weight

10.89 grams

Mintage

829221

Metal

Copper

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Region

The United States of America

Price Guide

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - NGC Graded

Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity by Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity by Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	1200	R-4.9	24 / 40 TIE	24 / 40 TIE
All Grades	5	R-9.7	16 / 40 TIE	16 / 40 TIE
60 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 40	1 / 40

Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.
65 or Better	1200
All Grades	5
60 or Better	0

Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.
65 or Better	R-4.9
All Grades	R-9.7
60 or Better	R-10.1

Relative Rarity by Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	24 / 40 TIE
All Grades	16 / 40 TIE
60 or Better	1 / 40

Relative Rarity by Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	24 / 40 TIE
All Grades	16 / 40 TIE
60 or Better	1 / 40

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS65BN PCGS grade	Homer K. Downing Collection - Abe Kosoff (Numismatic Gallery) 5/15/1947 - R.E. “Ted” Naftzger, Jr. Collection - Abe Kosoff 10/1959:100 - Stack's, sold privately - Doris E. (Dorothy) Nelson - Toby and Doris E. (Nelson) Szymanski (the "TAD" Collection) - Stack's 2/1976:76 - William R. T. Smith, sold privately in 4/7/1977 - C. Douglas Smith, sold privately on 12/8/1979 - Myles Z. Gerson Collection - Del Bland, sold privately on 3/12/1982 - C. Douglas Smith - Herman Halpern 12/11/1986 - R.E. “Ted” Naftzger, Jr., sold privately on 2/23/1992 - Eric Streiner - Bowers & Merena 1/1997:8 - Thomas D. Reynolds Collection - Goldbergs 1/2016:304, $38,775
2	MS64BN PCGS grade	Sheldon 271.
2	MS64BN PCGS grade	High Desert Collection (PCGS Set Registry)
2	MS64BN PCGS grade
2	MS64BN estimated grade	George W. Merritt Collection - Edouard Frossard 1/1879:154 - Edouard Frossard - John P. Lyman - S.H. Chapman 11/1913:430, $64 - Elmer S. Sears - Oscar J. Pearl - Numismatic Gallery Fixed Price List, 1944:211, $275 - Sol Kaplan - Numismatic Gallery 8/1946:1447, $237.50 - R.E. “Ted” Naftzger, Jr. Collection - Robert Gildred Collection - Kagin’s 10/1983:1071, $6,325 - Anthony Terranova - Garry Fitzgerald - Bowers & Merena 8/1987:43, $7,480 - Anthony Terranova - R.E. “Ted” Naftzger, Jr. Collection, sold privately on 2/23/1992 - Eric Streiner - Jay Parrino (The Mint) - Bowers & Merena 8/1987:43 - Bowers & Merena 1/1997:8, $???

#1 MS65BN PCGS grade

Homer K. Downing Collection - Abe Kosoff (Numismatic Gallery) 5/15/1947 - R.E. “Ted” Naftzger, Jr. Collection - Abe Kosoff 10/1959:100 - Stack's, sold privately - Doris E. (Dorothy) Nelson - Toby and Doris E. (Nelson) Szymanski (the "TAD" Collection) - Stack's 2/1976:76 - William R. T. Smith, sold privately in 4/7/1977 - C. Douglas Smith, sold privately on 12/8/1979 - Myles Z. Gerson Collection - Del Bland, sold privately on 3/12/1982 - C. Douglas Smith - Herman Halpern 12/11/1986 - R.E. “Ted” Naftzger, Jr., sold privately on 2/23/1992 - Eric Streiner - Bowers & Merena 1/1997:8 - Thomas D. Reynolds Collection - Goldbergs 1/2016:304, $38,775

#2 MS64BN PCGS grade

Sheldon 271.

#2 MS64BN PCGS grade

High Desert Collection (PCGS Set Registry)

#2 MS64BN PCGS grade

#2 MS64BN estimated grade

George W. Merritt Collection - Edouard Frossard 1/1879:154 - Edouard Frossard - John P. Lyman - S.H. Chapman 11/1913:430, $64 - Elmer S. Sears - Oscar J. Pearl - Numismatic Gallery Fixed Price List, 1944:211, $275 - Sol Kaplan - Numismatic Gallery 8/1946:1447, $237.50 - R.E. “Ted” Naftzger, Jr. Collection - Robert Gildred Collection - Kagin’s 10/1983:1071, $6,325 - Anthony Terranova - Garry Fitzgerald - Bowers & Merena 8/1987:43, $7,480 - Anthony Terranova - R.E. “Ted” Naftzger, Jr. Collection, sold privately on 2/23/1992 - Eric Streiner - Jay Parrino (The Mint) - Bowers & Merena 8/1987:43 - Bowers & Merena 1/1997:8, $???