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Small Cents 1922 Plain DP2 NGC MS65 BN

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:30,000.00 - 40,000.00 USD
Small Cents 1922 Plain DP2 NGC MS65 BN

Small Cents 1922 "Plain" (No D). Strong Reverse. NGC graded Mint State 65. Brown. AN NGC PHOTO PROOF certified coin. Smooth, glossy surfaces are toned a deep brownish violet, with considerable lighter lavender iridescence at the rims and around the devices. While not up to "Red and Brown" status, it does retain considerable color, presenting stunning visual appeal. Typical of Die Pair 2, Lincoln's features are somewhat softly defined, most notable at his coat lapel directly below the date, as a result of severe die wear. The L in LIBERTY is also a bit weaker than seen on most other dates, also characteristic of this emission. The date is razor-sharp, with nary a hint of the mint mark visible. Reverse lettering and devices are all meticulously struck, criteria lacking on the two other "22 Plain" varieties, Die Pairs #1 and #3. <BR><BR>Variety 2 is far and away the most desirable of the three, because of its comparative sharpness of detail. Most serious collectors will not settle for an example produced from the two inferior die combinations. The origin of this offbeat error is a direct result of the Philadelphia Mint Engraving Department's devoted efforts to producing die production for the Peace dollar, thereby causing the Denver Mint to incur a shortage of dies for the cent. Only Denver struck cents in 1922, and unanticipated demand required the reworking of already heavily worn dies to fill an urgent order. The obverse die used to strike this cent was reground to eliminate clash marks. There are several known degrees of regrinding and eventually the mint mark was completely gone, along with much of Lincoln's coat lapel. <BR><BR>In our last auction sale, October 1-2, 2001, we had the privilege of offering the finest certified Red and Brown example of this classic Lincoln cent rarity. With the exception of partial mint red retained on the other example, both are fully equal in quality. The appearance of any Gem Mint State example is rare occasion, indeed. Only a few certified examples exist. Bidding competition was heated for the last one offered and it sold for a record price of $83,375, including the 15% buyer's charge. Now we are delighted to offer the finest certified brown example. We don't expect this specimen to sell at the same level, but because of its combination of beauty, rarity and desirability, we do anticipated heating bidding competition. And once sold, when will it or another of its virtually irreplaceable caliber appear? Estimate $30,000.00-$40,000.00