1855 N-10 R6 (as a proof) Italic 55. PCGS graded Proof 65 Red & Brown. Mint red fading to bluish steel on the highpoints, about half of the slightly faded mint color remaining. The fields are reflective with moderate to deep mirrors while the portrait is frosty creating a very attractive cameo effect. The rims are squared and this is an unquestioned proof strike (many claimed as proof for this variety are early business strikes). The only defects, and they are trivial and barely visible, are a small and very faint spot of darker bluish steel toning in the center of the cheek and some microscopic specks of darker toning under star 11. A tiny "sine-wave" struck-through line under the eye and another slightly larger struck-through line left of star 1 (both caused by a tiny piece of lint on the die) may offer the best identifying marks. Called Proof-64 by Del Bland and Proof-63 by Denis Loring and tied for second finest known in his census.
Our grade is Proof-64, CC#1 in the Grellman census. The attribution and Dan Holmes provenance are noted on the PCGS label.
PCGS population 1; the only Proof Red & Brown graded at PCGS for this variety. DWH #1871
(PCGS # 400595) .
Estimated Value $6,000-UP.
Ex Kagin's Sale #333, 3/84:1292-Kagin's Sale #340, 2/86:4416-Martin Paul-Denis Loring-Ken Goldman 1987-Denis Loring-R. S. Brown, Jr. 4/17/99.
The Dan Holmes Collection of Late Date Large Cents
