LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2008 February Long Beach Signature Coin #460  / 

2149

1798 1C First Hair. VG10 PCGS. S-146, B-3, Low

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:425.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1798 1C First Hair. VG10 PCGS. S-146, B-3, Low
<B>1798 1C First Hair. VG10 PCGS. S-146, B-3, Low R.5. </B></I> <B>Photo #33272. Our EAC Grade VG8.<BR><BR>Equivalents.</B></I> Clapp 3, 4; EAC 3; <I>Encyclopedia </B></I>1716; PCGS #1431.<BR><B><BR>Variety. </B></I>Style I Hair. IB close. Left stem extended to U. The obverse appears on S-146 and S-147. The reverse appears on S-146.<BR><B><BR>Surfaces.</B></I> Sharpness finer, but with lightly corroded surfaces. Both sides have intermingled tan, steel, and maroon patina, with moderate abrasions, including a dull old scrape on the shoulder, and another below ST. Apparently Plain Edge, although the quality prevents certainty.<BR><B><BR>Die State IV. </B></I>Clapp 4. Vertical striae or scaling is visible at ERT, at UN, and at CA. This is the latest die state recorded by Breen, and meets the qualifications of Clapp variety number 4.<BR><B><BR>Census. </B></I>Several higher grade pieces are known, including an AU example plated in Noyes. The Husak coin is probably among the top 20 for the variety.<BR><B><BR>Commentary. </B></I>When George Clapp studied the 1798 cents, he distinguished between early and late die states of the obverse, presenting them as distinctly different dies, therefore as different varieties. Sheldon discussed the different states of the die at length:<BR><BR>"This obverse is found in several states, apparently because of excessive retouching or grinding down of the die. Clapp presents two of these states (here called State a and State b) as different obverses. State a is the obverse of the Clapp No. 3 variety; State b is the obverse of his No. 4 variety. But intermediate states are known, and since they are only variations in the condition of a single obverse die it has seemed best to present them here as a single variety."<BR><BR>It appears that the early die state coins (Clapp 3) are very rare. A comprehensive study of the different die states would prove a fascinating study.<BR><BR><B>Provenance. </B></I><I>Tom Reynolds (1996); John Cloutier (11/2000); Clay Everhart; Early American Coppers (4/2003), lot 382.</B></I><BR><BR><B>Personality. James Anderson</B></I> was employed as a drawer at the Mint, circa 1799. In that capacity, he operated the draw-bench, preparing planchet strip for the cutting operation. On August 31, 1799, he signed a bond of indemnity, promising to return to the Mint after the prevailing yellow fever season was over.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Coins & Currency (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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