The June 2-5, 2002, Pre-Long Beach Sale, Sale 14
Lot 1912
1795. Plain edge, no pole,
B-6a, C-6a, R-3. Completely Double Struck. NGC graded MS-63 Double
Struck/Rotated In Collar/Mint Error. Brown. An extraordinary Mint error,
this coin was struck first normally, then rotated in the collar about 20
degrees to the right and was restruck. The second strike obliterated most of
the first strike, but you can see all 4 digits of the date, 3 are left of the
1, and the first 5 just touches the 7, and we see the outline of Liberty's cap
between LI and curiously the tip of her nose lies right at the base of her chin
on the second strike! Similar on the reverse, with the rotation the same 20
degrees or so, with the fraction well to the right of the second strike
fraction, and the 200 is plainly visible, as are most of the peripheral
letters. Even CENT can be seen under the second strike at the center. As to the
color, this one is a rich chocolate brown with a slightly darker area quadrant
from the back of Liberty's head through her cap and behind her lower curls, and
this slightly darker color continues on the reverse in the same location, for
approximately one-third of the coin. It is likely that this coin was struck
from a rolled out Talbot, Allum and Lee cent, but we could find no trace of
undertype, as discussed in the reference by Ronald P. Manley. Curiously, we
could also find no report of this coin in Breen's Half Cent Encyclopedia or in
the Cohen variety book either, perhaps this coin has been tucked away for the
last several generations and not many collectors have even heard about it. This
would be remarkable given what a spectacular error it is, and in the amazing
mint state grade in which it was preserved. Early mint errors are a specialty,
and this error will clearly become one of the finer pieces of caviar in an
advanced half cent or error collection. We anticipate spirited bidding for this
unique double struck mint state error when it crosses the block, and won't
expect to see it again for many years to come once a collector lays his hands
on it.
Estimated Value $12,000-15,000.
Lot 1913
1809. Normal date, B-6,
C-6, R-1. MS-60+. Red and Brown. This one has ample red color
although we suspect it has been lightly cleaned in the past and has started to
retone. Nevertheless, the surfaces show one very light scratch on Liberty's
neck and another hidden below RTY in her hair. Slightly weak as usual for the
variety, with the reverse die rotated about 60 degrees clockwise.
Estimated
Value $250-350.