LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2008 Jan. FUN Signature Coin Auction #454  / 

2715

1944-D 1C--Struck on a Steel Planchet--MS62 NGC

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:80,000.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1944-D 1C--Struck on a Steel Planchet--MS62 NGC
<B>1944-D 1C --Struck on a Steel Planchet--MS62 NGC.</B></I> 2.77 gm. The plausible origin of the off-metal cents of World War II, 1943 pieces in bronze and 1944 in steel, is among the most time-honored tales in American collector circles. A handful of unused planchets of the previous year's alloy, hidden in the crevices of the tote bins that held blanks, came loose and mixed with the others. It happened at every mint in both years, creating six varieties coveted by collectors today.<BR> Another favorite coin story, told by seasoned veterans and numismatic novices alike, is that of "the one that got away." Missed opportunities, moments of indecision, and simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time are familiar refrains. With the benefit (or curse?) of hindsight, the recollection of "the one that got away" remains with vividness and unflinching clarity. A little over a decade ago, in August 1997, Heritage held the official auction of the ANA World's Fair of Money in New York City. Up for sale, among numerous treasures, was a 1944-D steel cent, certified by NGC as MS62, identical in grade to the present piece. The error coin went unsold, with no buyer meeting the reserve of just $8,000. As late as 2005, David Lange, in his <I>The Complete Guide to Lincoln Cents</B></I>, wrote that the 1944-D steel cents "seem to trade in the mid four figures."<BR> Today, purchasing a 1944-D steel cent for a four-figure sum seems like a far-off memory. Remarkable recent results include $69,000 for a Choice AU piece and an astonishing $115,000 for one in Select Mint State. The attractive exemplar offered here could bring a similarly impressive sum. Delicate pastel-blue and cloud-gray patina graces the softly lustrous surfaces, and Lincoln's well-defined figure shows no trace of wear. Tiny specks of oxidation appear on both sides, including one to the right of the last A in AMERICA, but the overall impact on the visual appeal is minor. A thin, wispy abrasion in the right obverse field accounts for the grade. All factors considered, this is an extraordinary 1944-D steel cent that could serve as a cornerstone for the finest of error collections.<BR><BR><B>Coin Engraver:</B> Victor D. Brenner<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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