Fred 2 Book

EARLY CENTS AUCTIONS

 BEAUTIFUL 1855 KNOB-ON-EAR

LOT 707 1855 N-9 R1 Italic 55, Knob-on-Ear, NGC graded MS65 Brown, CAC Approved. Lustrous bluish steel with 10-15% of the mint red remaining. Sharp with great eye appeal. There are a couple trivial ticks in the field close off the chin and a line of medium brown toning between stars 2 & 3. MDS, die state d. The “knob” break at the top of the ear is clearly raised and the additional cracks under the Y are just starting to form. Our grade is MS63. A very nice example of this popular “Redbook” variety. The attribution is noted on the NGC label. 3374402-001

Ex Stack’s Bowers, lot 389 in an unrecorded auction-Fred H. Borcherdt Collection (lot ticket included)

LOT 708 1855 N-9 R1 Italic 55, Knob-on-Ear EF40. Slightly sharper with some dull nicks scattered over the obverse including two close before the throat. Glossy medium olive brown. MDS, die state d. The knob under the T is clearly risen and the cracks under the Y are just starting to form. Perhaps a slightly earlier die state than the preceding lot. 

Ex Dean Johnson 6/1976-Fred H. Borcherdt Collection

LOT 710 1855 N-9 R1 Italic 55, Knob-on-Ear MS60. Very attractive frosty golden tan. Satiny with lustrous fields and just a couple trivial marks. A small depression on the rim between stars 3 & 4 and a light nick above the tip of the coronet are the only notable defects. LDS, die state f. The knob under the T is large and fully raised; the branch under the Y is well raised for its entire length. A nice example of this popular “Redbook” die state showing a bold “knob” break.

Ex Del Bland-Fred H. Borcherdt Collection

LOT 709 1855 N-9 R1 Italic 55, Knob-on-Ear VF35. Ten points sharper with several dull rim nicks, mostly on the reverse. The notable ones are at star 5 and off the end of the wreath ribbon. Glossy light to medium brown with chocolate on the highpoints. M-LDS, die state e. The knob break below the T is strong and the branch under the Y is fully outlined and just starting to rise. 

From the Fred H. Borcherdt Collection

Saturday, May 31 st , 2025 5PM CST

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