1794. "Head of 1794", Sheldon-24, Rarity 1. PCGS graded MS-67 Red and Brown. This is the famous Proskey-Hines-Sheldon-Naftzger-Parino coin. It is far and away the finest known of the variety and tied for the finest known of the type with one other graded MS-67 brown (of another variety). Examination finds virtually no sign of contact, the fields and devices are as struck. The only tiny mark we could locate is on the dentils below the 4 in the date, which serves to identify this as the above mentioned coin, plated in the Sheldon reference work as well as the Noyes book. A more beautiful coin could scarcely be imagined. Furthermore, this is the "full cheeks" variety, long popular with collectors, and almost never available in grades even approaching mint state.
As to the color, the satiny brown luster still shows forth several areas of original mint red, mostly near the devices. Fully struck by the dies, with the curious "rust" feature on Liberty's neck and in the field around the date, as noted in Sheldon. Struck from a lightly cracked obverse die, with a crack extending through the L of LIBERTY to the rim just right of the 4 in the date. The surfaces are free of specks, ticks or other signs of age or mishandling. One can only imagine that this coin was somehow set aside at the time of issue, and carefully preserved to this day. No doubt every numismatist who has ever dreamed of working on a set of Large Cents would covet this coin and make it the centerpiece of their collection. Be prepared for a worthy battle when this coin crosses the auction block, for it is superb in every regard, and quality like this is never cheap.
Estimated Value $50,000-UP.
From the Collections of H.C. Hines, Dr. William H. Sheldon, Roy E. Naftzger, Jay Parrino ("The Mint") to our present consigner.
