189

1803 S-243 R2 Stemless Wreath with Doubled Fraction Bar

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:240.00 USD Estimated At:500.00 USD and UP
1803 S-243 R2 Stemless Wreath with Doubled Fraction Bar
1803 S-243 R2 Stemless Wreath with Doubled Fraction Bar VF25. Five points sharper but there are traces of microscopic roughness in protected areas on the reverse. No verdigris, and the only notable contact marks are a very light hairline scratch above and another below CEN in CENT. A very shallow low spot (caused by debris, most likely grease, on the die) extends from the drapery at the base of the neck to the field before the lips with a couple similar low spots under AME on the reverse. Glossy chocolate and steel brown with traces of lighter brown toning around the wreath, possibly from a very old cleaning. The obverse offers excellent eye appeal. Terminal die state, Breen state V, with strong cud breaks at TY and to the right. The Stemless Wreath and Doubled Fraction Bar features are obvious. Noyes photo # ANS1217. This is a nice cent and it comes with an important story. This is one of the pieces "switched-in" by Dr. Sheldon when he exchanged coins with the Clapp-ANS collection decades ago. The original Clapp-ANS cent that was taken by Dr. Sheldon was recently returned to the ANS, and the ANS graciously exchanged it for this piece (ANS inventory number 0000.4.103). It comes with a letter from the Deputy Director of the ANS, Andrew Meadows, documenting the exchange and releasing their claim to its title. So here is an opportunity to obtain a nice example of a popular die variety that was part of the infamous "Clapp-ANS-Sheldon exchange."
Estimated Value $500-UP.

Provenance: Ex Dr. Sheldon-ANS 1/31/2012-Bob Grellman (agent for Eric Frankenfield, son of J. R. Frankenfield).