1825 N-9 R2 MS64. Lustrous light chocolate and steel brown with faded mint color showing through on both sides, 5% on the obverse and more than 10% on the reverse. Flawless except for faint traces of an old fingerprint around star 3 and a few microscopic ticks under the right side of the N in CENT. MDS with an extremely faint die crack arcing from the field below star 4 to the browlock. Sharply struck with full radial lines in all the stars. The fields are hard and very slightly reflective. A beautiful cent. Called MS65 and CC#1 in the Bland census. Noyes says MS63 and tied for CC#2, his photo #21821.
Removed from a PCGS slab graded MS65BN (PCGS label included, and it shows the attribution and Naftzger provenance).
Estimated Value $5,000-UP.
Ex William Festus Morgan (who purchased this cent prior to 1923), J. C. Morgenthau 6/16/1932:215-B. Max Mehl personal collection-T. James Clarke-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., McCawley & Grellman Auctions/Goldbergs 2/1/2009:165, The Northwest Collection.
Test Category 4
