NNP

1848 1C N-19, High R.5, PR64 Red and Brown PCGS. CAC. Our EAC Grade PR64. Housed in a green-label PCGS holder, this piece displays sharp devices with satin luster over fully mirrored fields. The surfaces are pristine, save for microscopic hairlines. The central obverse motif exhibits bluish-steel toning with vivid lilac field toning. Considerable mint red remains. The reverse shows brilliant orange mint color amid hints of bluish-violet toning. Variety: The proof-only 1848 N-19 cent shares the common reverse die that appears on proofs from 1844 to 1849. Just under three dozen proofs are known of this variety. Population Data (3/15): This piece is one of four at PCGS in PR64 Red and Brown, and there are two PR65 Red and Brown. Heritage Commentary: This lovely Choice proof is apparently unchanged since its 1903 auction appearance, where the Chapman Brothers wrote: "Obv. purple color. R. Red." Henry Chapman was more detailed in the 1912 Earle Collection catalog, writing: "Obverse tinging to steel color from red, while reverse is bright red." While they continued to discuss the rarity of this proof cent, New Netherlands also provided a brief and accurate description in 1953, noting: "Brilliant iridescent (obverse) and red (reverse) Proof." Provenance: Chapman Brothers (4/1903), lot 143; George H. Earle (Henry Chapman, 6/1912), lot 3574; Ryder Collection (New Netherlands, 9/1953), lot 927; later, Bowers and Merena (8/1999), lot 35.