NNP

1802 1C S-242, B-19, R.2, MS63 Brown PCGS. CAC. Our EAC Grade MS60. A gorgeous piece with full cartwheel luster and frosty olive-brown surfaces, accompanied by lighter tan and golden-brown, the latter faded from original red. Mostly sharp design details, although the leaves show the usual blunt strike that is so prevalent among the early 19th century cents. Variety: Breen Die State III. The obverse shows blurred clash marks and the reverse has an arcing die crack through NITE and another at the tops of ERICA. Population Data (3/15): This is the sole Mint State example that PCGS has certified as S-242. For the 1802 date, there are 16 finer. Heritage Commentary: While only rated R.2, the S-242 cent is a condition rarity in the Draped Bust series. This is one of three examples that Del Bland grades AU55, and tied for finest known. Bill Noyes graded this example MS65 in 1991, where he called it the finest known, and AU55 in 2005, where he lowered its rank to second finest known. Provenance: David Proskey; Henry C. Hines; Dr. William H. Sheldon (4/1972); R.E. Naftzger, Jr. (2/1992); Eric Streiner; Early American Coppers (4/1994), lot 282; Anthony J. Terranova; Gary Ruttenberg (McCawley and Grellman, 8/1996), lot 228; W.M. "Jack" Wadlington; Chris Victor-McCawley (7/2005); Walter Husak (Heritage, 2/2008), lot 2245.