1817 N-2 R3 MS64. Choice frosty bluish steel brown and chocolate. Faded mint color shows through in protected areas of the obverse while the reverse is a darker shade of chocolate brown mottled with lighter brown. The surfaces are quite attractive with satiny mint luster covering even the highest points of the design. The obverse is solidly in the gem category, but the uneven toning on the reverse keeps that side from a similar lofty rating. The only mark is a small spot of darker steel toning in the field off the tip of the chin. LDS with all the die cracks listed by Wright clearly present, including the bisecting crack on the reverse passing from F-A to NI. Called MS65 and finest known in the Bland census. Noyes says MS63 and tied for CC#1, his photo #21262.
Removed from a PCGS slab graded MS66BN (PCGS label included, and it shows the attribution and Naftzger provenance).
Estimated Value $3,000-UP.
Ex M. H. Bolender 9/58:1456-Emanuel Taylor 10/60-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., McCawley & Grellman Auctions/Goldbergs 2/1/2009:19. (The Naftzger envelope also indicates an earlier provenance of "Mills #1291 and Newcomb", but these earlier owners are in doubt according to Del Bland), The Northwest Collection.
Test Category 1
