Fred 2 Book

LOT 894 1853 N-31 R4+ EF40. Glossy light to medium brown. Smooth with trivial marks. A small spot of microscopic carbon on the left top of the 8 is the best identifying mark. Sharply struck E-MDS, die state a late. The early die lines over RI are clear but not sharp. A nice example of this tough die variety, tied for CC#13 in the Grellman census.

LOT 890 1853 N-23 R3+ Stray 1 in Hair VF30. Choice glossy light to medium brown. Very nice for the grade. The only marks are a barely visible rim bruise over star 7 and a spot of darker reddish olive toning on a leaf below the D in UNITED. M-LDS, die state b. The fields are flowlined and the earlier die lines are gone. Remnants of the stray 1 punched into the hair just right of the ear are visible.

From the Fred H. Borcherdt Collection (acquired 12/1988)

From the Fred H. Borcherdt Collection

LOT 895 1853 N-32 R5- VF30. Glossy medium brown and light chocolate with light olive and sea-green overtones on the reverse. Smooth and choice, just lightly worn. MDS, die state b. The die line at the stem tip is weak but still visible.

LOT 891 1853 N-28 R3+ VF25. Five points sharper but there are microscopic hairline scratches on the cheek and neck, none visible to the unaided eye. Looks choice and the toning is a very attractive glossy light to medium brown and light olive. MDS, die state b. Dull traces of the earlier die lines from the dentils at stars 4 & 12 are still visible.

From the Fred H. Borcherdt Collection

From the Fred H. Borcherdt Collection

LOT 896 1854 N-1 R3 VF30. Glossy light olive and brown. Smooth with light wear and minor marks including a tiny tick close to the hair under star 7 and two small nicks on the rim over ME. Scarce EDS, die state a, with smooth fields.

LOT 892 1853 N-29 R3 AU50. Very attractive frosty light to medium brown. Essentially flawless with very light friction on the highpoints. A dull nick left of star 8, a couple shallow low spots in the field above the head (as struck), and a dull nick left of star 8 are the only notable defects. LDS, die state c. The fields are flowlined and the earlier die lines at stars 1-2 are gone.

From the Fred H. Borcherdt Collection

From the Fred H. Borcherdt Collection

LOT 897 1854 N-2 R1 AU50. A mint state cent that was recolored on the obverse. The obverse is glossy steel brown with reddish tan in protected areas; the reverse is a more natural frosty light olive brown and steel. The surfaces are smooth and the only mark is a dull dig on the rim over the T in UNITED. EDS, die state a. The die line at the bottom of the N in ONE is clear. The strike on the coronet over LIB is weak, as usual on this variety.

LOT 893 1853 N-30 R1 VF35. Glossy light olive and brown. Smooth and nearly flawless, just lightly worn. There is a small carbon spot over star 3, a tiny tick on the chin, and some soft dirt in protected areas on the reverse. E-MDS, die state a late. The fine die lines from the dentils at star 13 are weak but still visible.

From the Fred H. Borcherdt Collection

From the Fred H. Borcherdt Collection

Photos of all lots can be found at www.earlycentsauctions.com

105