LOT Heritage Rare Coin Galleries  /  2004 June Long Beach Signature Sale #349 - Sessi...  / 

6009

1793[1C] Wreath Cent--Vine and Bars--Specimen MS65 Brown NGC.

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1793[1C] Wreath Cent--Vine and Bars--Specimen MS65 Brown NGC.
<B>1793<1C> Wreath Cent--Vine and Bars--Specimen MS65 Brown NGC.</B></I> S-6, R.3. The S-6 is one of the most frequently encountered and certainly most easily recognized of all 1793 varieties. Its "Sprung Die" in the left obverse field is immediately apparent and seen on all examples of the variety to one degree or another. On this example it is especially pronounced with a sharp ridge in the field. This, of course, is because the coin was struck from a later state of the dies. In fact, almost all the Die State VI characteristics are present on this piece, indicating it was one of the final coins struck in the run of 12,000 S-6 cents and most likely minted on April 9, 1793. The Breen reference states this piece is a Die State II coin, but we respectfully disagree.<BR> Three exceptional S-6 cents are known as well as a couple of memorable S-5 coins. According to the EAC Condition Census, this piece is tied for second finest known with the ANS coin, which is permanently impounded. The coin that is considered the finest known is the Ex: Bement example and is known as "The King of the 1793 Cents."<BR> The condition of this coin is truly extraordinary. It was Breen's contention in his 1977 reference on proofs that this particular coin was struck on a burnished blank for presentation purposes. The surfaces do indeed display a brightness and vibrancy that is not seen on other Wreath cents we have encountered. Again, according to Breen, the Harold Bareford coin (this piece) is the one S-6 that most clearly qualifies as a presentation piece. The fields are bright and glow with semi-reflectivity. The design motifs also show an unparalleled degree of definition in all areas. Although there is no direct evidence of heavy metal flow in the fields, indirect evidence can be seen from the strongly bifurcated lettering around the peripheries, leading one to suspect that this coin may have been double struck. As for surface flaws, there are really none that are immediately apparent. Examination with a glass does, however, reveal a speck of darker color to the left of the leftmost leaf above the date (a useful pedigree identifier), and a short angling mark on the cheek of Liberty. The color designation by NGC is Brown, and that is technically correct. However, in addition to the overall brown patina there is an overlay of olive with a strong presence of original red also.<BR> This is the most perfectly preserved and singularly important early large cent we have ever had the privilege of offering at public auction. It will not be a bargain for its new owner, but then every time this coin has changed hands over the past 131 years it has cost its new owner dearly. A true "museum quality" coin.<BR><I>Ex: George F. Seavy; William H. Strobridge (1873), lot 208; Lorin G. Parmelee (2/6/1892); Dr. Thomas Hall (9/7/1909); Virgil M. Brand; to Horace Brand in 1934; New Netherlands Coin Co., privately (7/30/51), to Harold Bareford; to Herman Halpern (9/13/85); Stack's (3/88), lot 6, for $46,750; Ed Milas (RARCOA); Martin Paul (The Rarities Group); Superior (8/92), lot 10, unsold; unknown intermediary; to the present consignor.</B></I><BR><I>The coin used by J.N.T. Levick who used it as a plate coin in an 1868 photo that was published in an 1869 issue of the American Journal of Numismatics for his plate of 1793 large cents. Also used as a plate coin in Sylvester S. Crosby's United States Coinage of 1793, published in 1897.</B></I> <BR><BR><B>Important notice:</B> Heritage usually auctions material at the rate of 200-250 lots per hour. On some occasions eBay Live bid software or the Internet may not be able to keep up with the pace of the auction. We recommend placing a realistic absentee bid now as insurance to avoid disappointment. Occasionally the auctioneer may eliminate or reject an eBay Live bid, and the auctioneer may also reopen a lot after the close of the eBay live bidding (usually because we missed an audience bid), and may reject your bid even if it shows you as the winning bidder. By bidding via eBay Live, you agree that Heritage may award the lot to another bidder at its sole discretion under the circumstances described above or any other reasonable circumstances. Since eBay bids are not shown to us until we open the lot on the floor, we treat those bids just like floor bids. In most cases the floor responds before the eBay bid is presented to us, due to Internet lag time, so for consistency we have made it a policy that floor bids are always considered first over tie eBay live bids. Also please note that all Heritage lots purchased through eBay Live carry a 20% Buyer's Premium. Please make sure you read the Terms and Conditions before you bid.
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