Skip to main content
Go to accessibility options

Description

1873 Doubled LIBERTY, Gem Red and Brown
One of the Finest Examples Known

1873 1C Doubled LIBERTY, Closed 3 MS65 Red and Brown PCGS. FS-101, formerly FS-009, Snow-1. Years ago Indian cent specialist Rick Snow wrote, "Only 2 examples of the 1873 Doubled Liberty are graded MS65 by PCGS, the present coin which is 85% red and the example presently in a Washington State collection, which is 20% red. I have had the pleasure of owning both at one time and there is no question this is the better, if only because of the additional amount of original red. The present coin came to light in the mid-1990's while I was in a partnership with Brian Wagner as Eagle Eye Rare Coins. From the first time we saw the coin, we always declared it to be the finest known 1873 Doubled LIBERTY. Few could argue. The only contender in terms of color is a MS-64RD graded by PCGS which sold for over $80,000 in 1998." Since then five pieces have been graded MS65 by the combined staffs of PCGS and NGC (3/09). Only three pieces show full red color, though, and the two finest of these are MS64 Red.
Walter Breen claims discovery of this variety circa 1957, and its first appearance in the Guide Book almost 30 years ago. The Doubled LIBERTY description is technically correct, although some have called this a Doubled Die variety. It actually represents hub doubling as only the central device was doubled. The date and peripheral lettering are all normally formed.
This example is from an early die state with a nearly perfect obverse lacking the usual crack through the bottom of the date. Faint traces of the crack are visible on this example between the bottom of the 8 and the 7. Both sides of this Gem quality specimen have considerable pale orange mint luster nicely blended with milk chocolate toning. The design details are sharply defined on both sides.
From The Joseph C. Thomas Collection.(Registry values: P10)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 227Y, PCGS# 2116, Greysheet# 1333)

Weight: 3.11 grams

Metal: 95% Copper, 5% Tin & Zinc


View all of [The Joseph C. Thomas Collection, Part Two ]

View Certification Details from PCGS

Auction Info

Auction Dates
Apr-May, 2009
29th-3rd Wednesday-Sunday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 17
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 2,023

Buyer's Premium per Lot:
15% of the successful bid per lot.

Sold on Apr 30, 2009 for: $57,500.00
Track Item