1797 C-3b R4 Low Head with Lettered Edge F12. Slightly sharper but the planchet is covered with very fine roughness that is partially hidden under a rather glossy patina of chocolate and dark olive brown. There are traces of microscopic verdigris on both sides, strongest in the field left of the date. Contact marks are limited to a few light nicks on the neck, a couple more hidden in the hair at the top of the head, and a pinprick left of the base of the H in HALF. MDS, Manley state 2.0, with a gentle horizontal bulge extending from the chin to the dentils. Struck slightly off center to K-9. The date is strong and the legends are complete. The edge letters are strong and easily readable, although they hang off the edge because they are too tall for the thin planchet. Not perfect but still a rather nice example of the popular "Low Head with Lettered Edge" variety. This is the Manley plate coin for die state 2.0 and this piece is mentioned in the Breen encyclopedia on page 188 as the sixth finest in his census. Finer than the Brobston coin sold in 1963 (Stack's FPL 1/1963). Overall equal to the R. L. Miles, Jr., example (Stack's 4/10/1969:9). Graded F15 by Roger S. Cohen, Jr. on 12/4/1982. Noyes photo #73606. Weight 80.0 grains.
Estimated Value $7,500-UP.
Ex "Consignment H", Stack's 5/4/1979:10 (as "VF")-Robert R. Shaw (who amassed a small hoard of 7 examples of the lettered edge variety)-Tony Terranova 5/1982-Ron Guth 6/16/1982.
The Whister Collection
