1792 1C Washington Roman Head Cent PR61 Brown PCGS. Baker-19, W-10840, R.6....

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Famous 1792 Roman Head Washington Cent
Baker-19, Breen-1249, PR61 Brown

1792 1C Washington Roman Head Cent PR61 Brown PCGS. Baker-19, W-10840, 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, 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. Listed on page 79 of the 2011 Guide Book. Population: 1 in 61 Brown, 3 finer (11/10).
Ex: The Liberty Collection of American Colonial Coinage, Part Three (Heritage, 5/2008), lot 2047.

Coin Index Numbers: (PCGS# 731, Greysheet# 270)

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