Double-Struck Cent Highlights Heritage ANA Sale
1876-CC 20-cent piece and 1907 Rolled Rim Indian Eagle are also among the August 13-18 event highlights.
Just because something is an error does not mean it is not in high demand.
Consider the case of the 1794 S-28 Head of 1794 cent, graded MS-66 Brown by NGC, a double-struck early large cent that will be up for grabs when it crosses the block in Heritage’s ANA U.S. Coins Signature® Auction Aug. 13-18.
“Double-strike errors are exactly what they sound like: a coin that has two (or more) images because the planchet was impressed (at least) twice,” said Todd Imhof, executive vice president at Heritage Auctions. “This example is breathtaking, and exceptionally rare in this grade, as one of just four S-28 cents that Del Bland grades MS-60 and are tied for the finest examples of the S-28 pair. The double strike is important, exceeding its census position as one of the four finest existing S-28 cents. The combination of the two strikes, both of which are off-center showing the date, and the remarkable MS-66 NGC grade make this a fantastic error coin.”
“When our consignor, Dr. Robert A. Schuman, showed me this coin in 1996, I was astounded,” said Mark Borckardt, senior cataloger at Heritage. “I elected to use a photograph of this coin to introduce the error chapter of Walter Breen’s Encyclopedia of Early United States Cents, 1793-1814, which I was editing at the time. Now, nearly 30 years later, the opportunity to catalog this amazing piece ranks among the highlights of my career.”
The 1876-CC 20-cent piece, graded MS-65 by PCGS, that is a part of this auction has always been considered one of the finest known examples of a celebrated rarity in the U.S. silver series that often is included in the same conversations as the 1804 dollar, the 1913 Liberty Head nickel, and the 1894-S dime. The Condition Census example offered in this auction is one of a confirmed surviving population of just 16 pieces in all grades – a minuscule total for a coin that Mint records indicate was from an original mintage of 10,000 pieces struck in 1876 at the Carson City Mint — and can be traced back to World’s Greatest Collection of F.C.C. Boyd and the renowned Armand Champa Collection.
A 1907 Rolled Rim Indian eagle, graded MS-66 by PCGS, CAC, is an example of a classic rarity in the series from which examples are coveted by both pattern collectors and series specialists. The 1907 Rolled Rim is exceptionally rare, more than all issues in the Indian Eagle series other than perhaps the famous 1933, with an estimated surviving population of just 40-42 examples – most of which fall in the MS-63 to MS-65 grade range. The example offered here ranks No. 9 among survivors, but its rank among those within the reach of the collecting community is even loftier, since two are included in the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution and two others reside in the collection of the American Numismatic Society.
An 1821 BD-1 half eagle, graded MS-63 by PCGS, CAC, is one of the highest-graded examples of this magnificent coin, a beauty that has resided in several elite collections and a rare issue in a series loaded with rarities. It is the only use of the obverse die, and there is no visual explanation of why it was taken out of service.
Another extraordinary offering in the auction is an 1851 Humbert $50 Territorial gold piece, graded MS-63 by NGC. It is tied with one other example for the highest recorded grade. The San Francisco-based Assay Office issued a series of octagonal $50 ingots in 1851 and 1852 that were accepted by the government as payment for customs dues and were used widely to settle large transactions. Since neither NGC nor PCGS distinguishes between the K-6 and K-7 varieties of the 1851 Humbert $50, interpretation of the population data is difficult, but based on the long record of public offerings in Heritage’s Auction Archives, it is believed that this example is tied with one MS-63 coin at PCGS for the finest-certified honors for the K-6 variety.
The auction includes several featured collections, including the Benedict Family Collection, a trove of 70 lots replete with an exceptional selection of type coins and important rarities.
Top lots from the Benedict Family Collection include:
• An 1887 Liberty double eagle, graded PR-65 Deep Cameo by PCGS, CAC, that is a gorgeous example of a prized proof-only issue, of which John Dannreuther estimates a surviving population of 35-40 in all grades
• A Registry example of an 1895 Morgan dollar, graded PR-68 Cameo by PCGS, CAC, that once resided in the Bob R. Simpson Collection, Part III. As demand for the Morgan dollar series has grown in recent years, so has the allure of the 1895 proofs since no circulation strikes are known
• An 1883 Liberty double eagle, graded PR-65 Deep Cameo PCGS, CAC, is a popular rarity within the series in which just 92 proof-only pieces were struck, of which Dannreuther has estimated that just 28-32 remain in any grade. PCGS CoinFacts is even stingier with its estimate of 20-25 surviving examples
Other top coins in the auction include:
• An 1870-CC Liberty double eagle, graded XF-40 by NGC
• A 1919-S quarter, graded MS-66 Full Head by PCGS
• A 1799 $10, graded MS-65+ by CACG
• A 1920-S Indian $10, graded MS-64+ by PCGS, CAC
• A 2000-D Sacagawea dollar/quarter mule, graded MS-64 by PCGS
Images and complete information about all lots in the auction can be found on the Heritage Auctions website.
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