Owner Comments:
NGC graded MS 66 BN, EAC MS63+
Variety: N-2, die state g, CC#4 (tie)
This piece has fabulous cartwheel on its brown obverse, and lesser but still nice luster on the mostly coppery reverse. The surfaces are choice, with no defects worthy of mention. This is a beautiful coin. The effects of die crumbling are interesting on this sharp, die state g example. Bob Grellman's book on late date varieties describes 33 distinct die states
I saw this coin in a Goldberg action, but didn't have enough money at the time. It had been purchased by Chris McCawley (who has told me he typically buys about 10% of the coins from significant early copper auctions!). I picked it up from him at the March 2007 Baltimore show.
This coin's prison is significantly scratched. In the photo, the nasty mark right of star 8 is on the holder...
From the Goldberg catalog:
1849 Coronet Head Cent. N-2, R2. NGC graded MS-66 Brown. Very attractive and highly lustrous bluish steel brown with traces of mint color remaining on the obverse, at least 20% of the red remaining on the reverse. The only defect is a small spot of slightly darker toning in the field touching the hair under star 7. E-MDS, die state g. A beautiful cent. EAC grade MS63+, tied for CC#4. Pop 1, finest graded at NGC.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,500.