1841 Original, B-1, C-PO2, Low R.5, PR65 Brown PCGS. Our EAC Grade PR60. CAC. ...

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1841 B-1 Original Half Cent, PR65 Brown
Tied for Fifth Finest at PCGS

1841 Original, B-1, C-PO2, Low R.5, PR65 Brown PCGS. Our EAC Grade PR60. CAC. Equivalents. Gilbert-1; Empire-89; Cohen-PO2; Breen-1, BW-1.
Rarity. Perhaps as many as 50 of these are known today. PCGS estimates 20 to 30 examples and the Bowers-Whitman Guide Book places the population at 35 to 50 coins. Richard T. Coleman records nearly 70 proofs.
Obverse 1. Christian Gobrecht's Braided Hair design of 1840 (now dated 1841) is described at lot 3129.

Reverse A. Gobrecht's Large Berries reverse is described above at lot 3129.
Edge. Plain.
Surfaces. Reflective fields frame the satin devices of this sharply defined proof. Minor identifying marks are located on Liberty's nose and across the cheek and ear. The light brown surfaces have vibrant blue and violet toning on the obverse and sea-green toning on the reverse.
Die State (Sholley). Obverse has light rust across portrait and in fields with heavier rust at junction of top of head and field and behind neck. Scattered light polishing lines. Reverse is a post-1849 use with strong, nearly vertical lapping lines from lower left part of wreath up through CE and HA to wreath above and nearly horizontal lapping lines from right wreath through LF and EN. Strong rust patch above E of CENT with a lighter one below CENT. Same state as later state 1854,1848, and 1849 with same rust and lapping lines. Struck 1850 to 1856, just before restrikes with the Reverse of 1856.

Appearances. Illustrated at the PCGS Set Registry record of the McGuigan Collection. Plated in the Pittman catalog.
PCGS Population (6/2022). PCGS has received 49 submissions of 1841 Original half cents in all grades. Three of those are graded PR65 Brown, one is PR65 Red and Brown, two others are graded PR66 Brown, and one is certified as PR67 Brown.
Commentary. The 1841 Large Berries half cents rank among the most populous proofs from the decade with records suggesting that several circulated proofs survive today. Walter Breen recorded a single variant in his Half Cent Encyclopedia, while current research suggests that some examples, including the present piece, were struck much later than the date shown on the coins.
McGuigan Commentary. Superb iridescent bluish-brown reflective surfaces.
Provenance. Ex: C. David Pierce (Numismatic Gallery, 7/29/1947); John J. Pittman (David Akers, 10/1997), lot 149.
Personality. The November 1944 Hollinbeck Stamp & Coin Company auction offered duplicates from the collection of C. David Pierce. The catalog recorded more than 2,500 lots, including about 60 half cent lots. Charles David Pierce was a lifelong resident of Ottumwa, Iowa. The son of Charles David and Meda (Knight) Pierce, he was born in Ottumwa on November 24, 1910, and died there on March 9, 1984. Pierce joined the American Numismatic Association in 1938. His obituary in The Numismatist notes that he was ANA Life Member #94. He operated an antique and gift shop, and was the owner of Pierce Lumber Company in his hometown. He was active in civic affairs, according to his obituary.
Personality. American Numismatic Association Hall of Fame member John J. Pittman was born in Virginia on February 18, 1913, and died in New York on February 17, 1996. After graduating from the University of North Carolina in 1934, he was employed as a chemical engineer with Eastman Kodak until his 1971 retirement. Pittman, who married Gehring Cooper, was the father of a son and two daughters. He began collecting coins about 1923, and formed an exceptional collection that David Akers sold in three auctions in 1997 and 1998. Pittman served on the 1947 U.S. Assay Commission, and served as president of several numismatic organizations including the American Numismatic Association.
From The James R. McGuigan Half Cent Collection. (Registry values: P2)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 26Z6, PCGS# 1254, Greysheet# 588)

Weight: 5.44 grams

Metal: 100% Copper

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