Owner Comments:
NGC graded MS 66 BN
Variety: N-13, Large Date
This piece has simply fabulous cartwheel luster. Its color is an attractive, even medium brown plus ample iridescent blue highlights (that are not very apparent in the photo). The hair is fully detailed, but the stars are somewhat weak. There is a small planchet chip outside star 10, and a couple barely noticeable hairlines above the head and below the wreath. Nevertheless, the visual appeal is outstanding.
In July 2004, I was only a few months into working on my late dates set when I saw this coin in the B&M catalog for their Summer Baltimore auction. Even though it would take money away from working on that set, I really wanted this coin, especially after seeing it at lot viewing. Obviously I got it, my first certified middle date large cent.
The Bowers & Merena catalog description for this coin says:
1820 N-13. MS-66 BN (NGC). Dark reddish brown toning, highlighted with bright ice blue iridescence on both sides. Quite well struck overall, though with a few of the stars lacking full point separation. Just a few well concealed luster grazes away from perfection. Superb quality, with excellent eye appeal. Newcomb-13 is a well known Randall hoard variety, characterized by the stars around the obverse rim being connected by a series of prominent die breaks. PCGS# 1616.
Photo credit: Electric Peak Collection