NNP

1802 1C S-226, B-2, R.3, MS63 Brown PCGS. Our EAC Grade AU50. This example has the sharpness of Mint State, including frosty luster and faded traces of mint red. A long obverse scratch is barely noticeable, but sufficient to prompt a lower net grade and remove this piece from the Condition Census. Variety: The obverse is the same die as found on S-225, here in a later state with a rim break below the date. This is Breen's intermediate Die State III of the die pair. Population Data (3/15): For all varieties, PCGS reports 12 1802 large cents in MS63 Brown (one MS63+ Brown) with 16 finer in all color designations. Heritage Commentary: Del Bland lists this piece as the seventh finest of known examples. Bill Noyes concurs, according to his 2005 Census, although his current grade is a 15-point reduction from his earlier grade of MS65 in his 1991 photo book, where he called this example the finest known S-226 cent. If not for the obverse scratch discussed above, this piece would easily qualify as the finest known. Provenance: James G. Macallister; Milton A. Holmes (Stack's, 10/1960), lot 1422; Frank H. Masters, Jr. (RARCOA, 5/1971), lot 141; R.E. Naftzger, Jr.; Eric Streiner; EAC Sale (4/1994), lot 271; Anthony Terranova; Stack's (1995 FPL), lot 50; Stack's (11/1995), lot 1030.