1807 1C Comet, BN F12BN Certification #10156829, PCGS #1531

Owner's Comments

RCNH Uniform color, no major marks very clean

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
Pop Higher
35
Pop Lower
30
Region
The United States of America
Price Guide
PCGS Population
Auctions - PCGS Graded
Auctions - NGC Graded

Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades
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
65 or Better 1200
All Grades 5
60 or Better 0
65 or Better R-4.9
All Grades R-9.7
60 or Better R-10.1
65 or Better 24 / 40 TIE
All Grades 16 / 40 TIE
60 or Better 1 / 40
65 or Better 24 / 40 TIE
All Grades 16 / 40 TIE
60 or Better 1 / 40

Condition Census Learn More

Pos Grade Thumbnail 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 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

MS64BN PCGS grade #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, $???