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Lot
2047

1792 1C Washington Roman Head Cent PR61 Brown PCGS....

2008 May Long Beach, CA Signature Auction #1108

 
Sold for: $92,000.00 (includes BP )
Bid Source: Live: Floor
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Auction Ended On: May 29, 2008
Item Activity: 9 Internet/mail/phone bidders
7,896 page views

Description:

Very Rare 1792 Roman Head Cent
PR61 Brown, Baker-19

1792 1C Washington Roman Head Cent PR61 Brown PCGS. Baker-19, Breen-1249, R.6. The notoriety of the famously rare Roman Head cent was enhanced by Breen's description of its history in his Encyclopedia. Young engraver John Gregory Hancock of the private Westwood Mint in Birmingham, England is credited as designer. Hancock and Westwood created several Washington patterns between 1791 and 1792 in an attempt to secure a Federal coinage contract with the nascent American government. These patterns came to naught when President Washington decided upon a Federal mint. Per Breen, Hancock sought revenge through his engraving talents by portraying Washington "as a degenerate, effeminate Roman emperor." The issue was then suppressed for decades, "lest it become an 'international incident.'"
Such a story is "pure Breen" in that the author was known to embellish the facts if it made the history more compelling. A contrarian viewpoint, expressed in the Stack's November 2006 Norweb catalog, is that Hancock was instead showing his admiration for the much-heralded President Washington.
Regardless of Hancock's motive, the Roman Head cent was a well-engraved and well-made issue. The present piece has a needle-sharp strike, its centering is excellent, and the fields are unperturbed by planchet imperfections. Light tan toning at the centers gradually cedes to dusky mahogany near the rims. Despite the PR61 grade, there is no evidence of hairlines, scratches, or spotting, or other detriments. The eye appeal should please even the jaded specialist.
The Roman Head cent is among the most desirable Guide Book Washington types. Rulau and Ford (1999) state, "about 20 specimens are known, all but one in proof." Breen (1988) comments, "about 12 to 15 known, all proofs (several impaired, one worn - apparently a pocket piece); at least five are impounded in museums. Michael Hodder (2004) knew of only eight examples in private hands.
The great rarity of the Roman Head is confirmed by its paucity of Heritage auction appearances. A VG Details example with rim damage sold for $14,950 in our February 2007 Long Beach Signature, and we have located no prior Heritage lots. The arrival of an unimpaired proof at a Heritage auction is an unprecedented event, and advanced collectors are apprised to bid accordingly. Listed on page 79 of the 2008 Guide Book. Population: 1 in 61, 2 finer (3/08).
From The Liberty Collection of American Colonial Coinage, Part Three. (#731)

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Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments

Guides and Pricing Information:


Previous Prices from Heritage Auctions

Lot Date Grade Service Realized
Auction 1151, Lot 5408 Sunday, January 9, 2011 61 PCGS $66,125.00
View prices realized from this item in other grades (you must be signed in)
PLEASE NOTE: All prices realized reflect the final hammer price PLUS the buyer's premium in auctions that charge a buyer's premium. Each item has a notation at the top of the listing indicating whether that lot included a buyer's premium. All information listed is intended to be as accurate as possible, but errors are possible. Please use this guide carefully and inform us of any inaccuracies.

Price Guide*

Grade Coin World
(Coin Values)
Numismedia
Retail
Numismedia
Wholesale
Numismedia
NGC (nmn)
Numismedia
PCGS (nmp)
PCGS
Price Guide
PCGS+
60 --- --- --- --- --- $70,000 ---
61 --- --- --- --- --- $80,000 ---
62 --- --- --- --- --- $90,000 $92,500
*All information listed is intended to be as accurate as possible, but errors are possible. No item may be returned or refused based on this information which is provided as a service to our customers. You should contact each pricing source directly to determine the accuracy of this information.

Population Guide

Service Grade Population in this Grade Population of Higher Grade Population in All Grades + Mintage Engraver
PCGS Not available from PCGS 0  
NGC 61 0 0 0 -
CAC 61 0 1 1 -
*This information is provided and owned by PCGS. Its display and use are subject to the licensed agreement between PCGS and Heritage Auctions.

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Colonials, 1792 1C Washington Roman Head Cent PR61 Brown PCGS....


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Colonials, 1792 1C Washington Roman Head Cent PR61 Brown PCGS....


Colonials, 1792 1C Washington Roman Head Cent PR61 Brown PCGS....

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