NNP

1856 1C Slanted 5, N-5, Low R.5, PR66 Red and Brown NGC. Our EAC Grade PR63. Original orange mint luster dominates both sides of this Premium Gem Red and Brown proof, joined by whispers of crimson and lilac in the fields and tan-blue patina on the devices. Broad, squared-off borders give way to razor-sharp dentilation, and a powerful strike imparts bold delineation to the design elements. Liberty's hair, the star centers, and the leaf ribbing are crisp, as befits a proof. No mentionable contact marks or spots show on the well-preserved surfaces. Variety: This proof-only variety shows an italic 56 in the date, a die line from the right serif of the upper crossbar in the T of LIBERTY to the lower left base of Y, three more die lines on the neck just below the earlobe, defects in the E of ONE at its right top and under the serif of the crossbar (possibly the remnants of another letter), and a lump on the right base of the N in UNITED. Population Data (3/15): This PR66 Red and Brown example is one of two tied for finest among the 21 1856 proof large cents in all color designations at NGC. NGC also shows one PR65 Red. The finest at PCGS are three each in PR66 Red and Brown and PR65 Red. Heritage Commentary: The 1856 and 1857 large cents are the most plentiful in proof format, the dates that are routinely chosen for proof type sets. Provenance: Heritage (5/2007), lot 2019; purchased from Legend Numismatics (6/2007).