Owner Comments:
1869 10C Postage Currency
Judd-715, Pollock-794
Rarity: Low R.7 PF66BN
Ex: David Cassel
Struck in Copper with Reeded Edge
Obverse: The obverse is similar to the regular issue, but without the date in exergue.
Reverse: The reverse has SIL. 9/ NIC. 1 in larger letters, the date is below, smaller, and slightly curved.
Comment:
Of the six known examples of this copper striking, this is the finest certified. SEM-EDX testing by Ledoux & Company Certificate number 919577-011 proved it to be almost pure copper: 99.7% copper and 0.2% nickel. Curiously, the silver / nickel alloy stamped on the reverse of this piece does not appear to exist on any coins of this design.
Lilac-red, sea-green, and orange-gold toning enriches both sides. Parallel diagonal roller marks cross the obverse, but post-strike imperfections are limited to minor carbon.
Provenance/Appearance:
From The Towers Collection, Heritage CSNS May 2024 Lot #3703
Ex: Long Beach Bullet Sale (Heritage, 9/28/1998), lot 1021; Pre-Long Beach (Goldberg Auctions, 5/2003), lot 596; David Cassel Collection / Chicago ANA Signature (Heritage, 8/2015), lot 5959; Central States Signature (Heritage, 4/2016), lot 1234.