1819 N-10 R4 MS63. Frosty slightly faded mint red mellowing to steel brown, about half the faded red remaining. Covered with satiny mint luster and close to gem except for a short, fine hairline scratch in the field off the nose tip plus a few tiny ticks on the cheek and in the field off the chin. A good identifying mark is a small spot of darker bluish steel toning between the 8 and second 1 in the date. E-MDS. The dentils are complete around both sides and the bottom of the C in CENT is clear. An outstanding example of this very scarce variety. Called MS65 and tied for CC#1 with one other piece in the Bland census. Noyes says MS61 and CC#3, his photo #25191. The obverse is plated in the Newcomb book to illustrate the variety and the reverse is also plated to show reverse H. Comes with the Newcomb collection pillbox.
Removed from a PCGS slab graded MS64RB (PCGS label included, and it shows the attribution and Dan Holmes provenance).
Estimated Value $5,000-UP.
Ex Howard R. Newcomb, J. C. Morgenthau 5/16/45:530-Floyd T. Starr, Stack's 6/13/84:123-Wes Rasmussen, Heritage 1/13/05:3433-Dan Holmes, McCawley & Grellman Auctions/Goldbergs 5/30/2010:122, The Northwest Collection.
Test Category 2