NNP

1808 1C S-277, B-1, R.2, MS66 Brown PCGS. Our EAC Grade MS62. This splendid Premium Gem, housed in a green-label PCGS holder, exhibits rich and glossy dark chocolate-brown luster on the obverse with traces of tan, faded from mint red. The reverse is lighter brown and shows full cartwheel luster. Variety: This is the first of three 1808 large cent varieties, each from different obverse and reverse dies, representing the first year of issue for John Reich's Classic Head design. Breen Die State IV showing prominent obverse and reverse clash marks. The reverse displays a die crack through the D of UNITED and the wreath to the final S in STATES. Population Data (3/15): This is one of four in MS66 Brown at PCGS. None are finer in any color designation. Heritage Commentary: Del Bland grades this piece MS61 and tied for second finest known. This example is one of two similarly graded coins that Henry Hines called his "crown jewel pair," representing early and late die states. Bill Noyes graded both coins MS65 in 1991. He lowered the grade of this example to MS62, and lowered the grade of the other piece to AU55 in 2005. The obverse and reverse are plated in Penny Whimsy. Provenance: David Proskey; Henry C. Hines; Dr. William H. Sheldon (4/19/1972); R.E. Naftzger, Jr. (2/23/1992); Eric Streiner; Jay Parrino; Bowers and Merena (8/1996), lot 26.