Description:

1821 N-1 R1 PCGS graded MS63+ Red & Brown, CAC Approved. Frosty mint red fading to steel on the highpoints, at least 75% of the mint color remaining. The eye appeal of this cent is outstanding but it is not perfect. There is a speck of fine carbon at the top of the hair bun and another just right of the base of T in CENT, plus numerous microscopic specks of dark toning on the upper half of the reverse. In addition there are microscopic contact marks in the obverse fields and a long one on the front edge of the neck. None of these marks is at all distracting, but they keep a choice cent from a gem rating. MDS with hard, slightly reflective fields on both sides. The obverse is uncracked but there are traces of crumbling in the dentils at stars 6-7 and two very light die cracks on the reverse. One crack reaches from the dentils through the I in UNITED and the bottom of the wreath to the C in AMERICA ending at the dentils above. The other fine die crack begins at the dentils left of the O in OF and meanders through the top of the wreath down to the N in ONE and E in CENT ending in the ribbon below. These die cracks are so fine that a worn cent would not show them until they became stronger in a later die state. Called MS65 and tied for CC#1 honors with one other piece in the Bland census. Noyes says MS63 and alone as CC#1, his photo #35701. Our grade is consistent with the slab grade, and it is easy to see why CAC approved of this one. A great cent, and it comes with an interesting story. It was discovered along with six others of the date (one more of the N-1 variety, five of the N-2 variety) hidden the a cornerstone of an old building being demolished in Boston in 1981. Each was sold in a New England Rare Coin Auctions (NERCA) Long Beach sale in October of that year, lots 58-64. This consignor purchased six of the seven 1821 cents, and he selected this remarkable piece to retain in his collection. The attribution and Fitzgerald provenance are noted on the PCGS label. PCGS population 1; none finer.
Estimated Value $25,000-UP.
Ex NERCA 10/1981:59-Garry Fitzgerald collection.

Categories: U.S. Colonial and Copper Coins, Large Cents