1844 Original, B-1, C-PO5, High R.5, PR65 Red and Brown PCGS. Our EAC Grade PR64. CAC. ...

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Description

1844 B-1 Original Half Cent, PR65 Red and Brown
From the Stetson, Ryder, and Showers Collections

1844 Original, B-1, C-PO5, High R.5, PR65 Red and Brown PCGS. Our EAC Grade PR64. CAC. Equivalents. Gilbert-1; Empire-98; Cohen-PO5; Breen-1, BW-1.
Rarity. Rated High R.5 based on Richard T. Coleman's record of 35 surviving examples. However, PCGS estimates 15 to 20 examples and the Bowers-Whitman Guide Book estimates that 19 to 24 are known.
Obverse 1. Christian Gobrecht's Braided Hair design of 1840 (now dated 1844) is described at lot 3129.

Reverse A. Gobrecht's Large Berries reverse is described above at lot 3129.
Edge. Plain.
Surfaces. It is tempting to describe this piece as full Red, and many observers would do so. Brilliant orange mint surfaces and sharp details have accents of wispy blue and iridescent tones. The borders tend toward brown. Small toning spots before the neck and below Star 12 will serve as identifiers. In its last auction appearance in 1954, the New Netherlands cataloger wrote: "Brilliant red proof, having only slight evidence of tarnish."
Die State (Sholley). Obverse is moderately rusted across all surfaces, particularly apparent on the upper part of the portrait and into the coronet where the rust has obliterated all but the strongest graver lines around LIBERTY. A stronger patch of rust is seen between the top of head and star 8. Scattered lapping line at various angles in the fields. Rim has scattered rust. The reverse is likewise moderately rusted with a "grainy" appearance. The strong lines left from the lapping on the early state of 1843 are still present, but they are obviously pitted and disrupted by rust. There are numerous stray lapping lines at various angles in the fields with most, if not all, pitted by rust. Rim has scattered rust. A late state (but not the latest) Large Berry strike circa 1850 to 1856.

Appearances. Illustrated at the PCGS Set Registry record of the McGuigan Collection. Plated in the June 1954 New Netherlands catalog and the Showers catalog.
PCGS Population (6/2022). The 15 submissions of 1844 Original half cents include this piece and one finer coin graded PR66 Brown.
Commentary. Craig Sholley's study of this piece places its production in the mid-1850s, suggesting that it is an early restrike, as opposed to an original strike.

The finest examples known to us are the Partrick coin that is NGC-graded PR66* Red Cameo, the Missouri Cabinet PR66 Brown PCGS coin, and the present example from the McGuigan Collection.
McGuigan Commentary. Superb virtually full red reflective surfaces with a few areas of light toning.
Provenance. Ex: C.W. Stetson (Thomas L. Elder, 12/1924), lot 2194; Hillyer C. Ryder; Ryder Estate; Wayte Raymond (12/1944); New Netherlands (6/1954), lot 321; Phillip Showers (Stack's, privately, 1969); Willis H. duPont; Fred S. Werner (2/1976); Superior (2/1976); Joe Flynn & Son (4/20/1976); R.E. Naftzger, Jr.; Eric Streiner; Marin Numismatics (Donald Kagin); George Szykir (10/1993).
Personality. C.W. Stetson was a Chicago, Illinois collector of whom nothing else is known. Thomas Elder wrote in his 1924 catalog that the consignment was "The property of C.W. Stetson, Chicago, Ill." suggesting that the collector was living at the time of the sale.
From The James R. McGuigan Half Cent Collection. (Registry values: P4)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 26ZA, PCGS# 1273, Greysheet# 607)

Weight: 5.44 grams

Metal: 100% Copper

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