1807 1C S-271 "Comet", BN VG8 PCGS号36454

Ron Guth

Sheldon 271 is known as the "Comet" variety because of a raised die defect that runs from the left rim just above 9:00 through Liberty's hair, cheek, and mouth, to the rim at 3:00.  In early states of the die, the defect had not yet formed.  Then, the dies clashed (crashed against each other with no planchet between them), causing heavy clashmarks on the obverse.  Eventually, the "comet" formed behind Liberty's head.  As the die deteriorated further, the "comet" became more pronounced and raised marks appeared in the dies paraellel to the flaw.  Coins with a pronounced "comet" carry the largest premiums.

Only a few Mint State examples are known of the S-271, including one or two which retain enough original, red color to merit a Red-Brown designation.  The best certified example is the PCGS MS65BN from the Thomas D. Reynolds Collection.