(1792) AE Token Washington Born Virginia, BN MS(PCGS#723)

November 2017 Baltimore U.S. Coins Auction

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

10001

等级

MS66+BN

价格

755,784

详细说明

Magnificent Gem Washington Born Virginia GW-33, Baker-60 Likely Finest Known (1792) Washington Born Virginia Copper. Legend Reverse. Musante GW-33, Baker-60, W-10730. Rarity-6. Copper. MS-66+ BN (PCGS). Secure Holder. CAC. 166.6 grains. A simply stunning example of this classic rarity, one that stands among the very finest examples, if not at the very top of the list. As we noted in our 1984 offering, only the Garrett Collection coin might challenge this one in terms of preservation, but it is hard to imagine it surpassing it in quality or eye appeal. Light to moderate steel-brown dominates the appearance, while strong accents of pale blue iridescence are blended across both sides. Accents of faded orange-red remain in the most protected devices. The strike is as sharp as is ever seen, with every detail fully executed in frosty relief. Washington's hair and the epaulets of his coat are as crisply defined as we imagine the die would allow for. Likewise, the reverse is fully brought up, which is rather unusual relative to the typical example. Both sides exhibit intense prooflike reflectivity in the fields, with fine die finishing lines seen on the reverse in particular. Great care was taken with the dies before this piece was struck. Most seen are weak at the reverse center, and the usual specimen encountered is worn to VF, or so, frequently with the central reverse smooth. This piece is of a different character. When we last handled this coin it was graded Specimen-67 BN by NGC, a grade assignment that gives a nod to the unusually superb quality. This was one of the most outstanding highlights of Richard Picker's personal collection, and the quality exceeds that seen in the Norweb coin as well as the recently offered Newman specimen, which was cataloged as the second finest known. The present coin also comes with an impressive provenance back to Waldo Newcomer, whose colonial coins (including Washington pieces) were handled directly by B. Max Mehl in the early 1930s. Mehl compiled a list of the collection, sold a dozen or so pieces to John Work Garrett, and then the balance to "Colonel" Edward H.R. Green, in 1932 or 1933. This piece was included in that latter transaction. In Mehl's listing, he noted that "Sears says finest he has seen," suggesting that Elmer Sears might have had a hand in the sale of this piece into the Newcomer Collection, perhaps directly or through United States Coin Company, in which he was a partner with Wayte Raymond. Though the precise earlier provenance is not known, it may well be within reach, particularly as more plated and named sale catalogs become available digitally online. Whatever the earlier history of this piece, what is most important today is the opportunity represented by this offering. This is truly a world class example suitable for the finest of collection. PCGS# 723. NGC ID: 2B79. Provenance: From the Cardinal Collection Educational Foundation. Earlier ex Waldo C. Newcomer; B. Max Mehl to "Colonel" Edward H.R. Green, via Wayte Raymond, circa 1932 or 1933; B.G Johnson (St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.) March 1946; James Kelly; Richard Picker; our (Stack's) sale of the Richard Picker Collection, October 1984, lot 322; Anthony Terranova; anonymous collection; our (Stack's) Rich Uhrich Collection Sale, February 2008, lot 1061. This lot includes NGC insert # 1828522-003 with a grade of Specimen-67 BN for this coin, as well as Richard Picker's envelope with attribution and provenance notes and two other collector tags with similar notations.