TNA HOF Collection Pt 1

SECOND FINEST TERMINAL 1846 N-16

LOT 1124 1846 N-16 R5 F15. Five points sharper with too many small nicks for the sharpness grade. A dull pinch on the rim under the 4 and another over the second S in STATES are the notable marks. Glossy steel and chocolate brown. Extremely rare terminal die state, state d, with a rim cud break from above star 9 down to star 11 (actually two separate rim cuds joined together). The cud breaks are strong and clearly defined on this example. Tied for second finest of only 9 known in this terminal die state.

Ex Jack H. Robinson, Superior 1/29/1989:1297-Richard V. Punchard 11/9/1989-Daniel W. Holmes, Jr., McCawley & Grellman Auctions/Goldbergs 1/30/2011:158-Fred H. Borcherdt Collection (includes the Punchard/Holmes collection envelope)

LOT 1126 1846 N-18 R1 MS60. Frosty steel brown with 20% of the obverse showing bright original mint red. A small spot of very fine carbon in the dentils over star 3 is the only notable mark, but the strike is soft affecting the tip of the coronet and most of the leaves on the reverse. LDS, die state e, with a single round lump in the field under the hair bun. The die cracks on the reverse are clear. 

LOT 1125 1846 N-17 R4+ AU55. Choice frosty light steel brown with slightly darker steel brown toning on the highpoints. A very attractive cent, close to mint state. The only marks, and they are trivial, are a small splash of lighter greenish olive toning under star 6 and a couple very tiny ticks under the end of the wreath ribbon. The unusual “moonscape” texture always seen on the head of Ms Liberty on this variety (as well as on 1846 N-16 and 1847 N-18) is obvious thanks to the high grade. Sharply struck E-MDS, die state a. The reverse is uncracked and the fine die lines are clear, but the fields are starting to show microscopic die flowlines. A great cent, CC#8 in the Grellman census. 

Ex PHJ 3/25/1936-Fred H. Clymer-Fred H. Borcherdt Collection

Ex 1992 EAC bourse 4/4/1992-Evan L. Kopald, McCawley & Grellman Auctions/Goldbergs 9/20-2010:1078-Fred H. Borcherdt Collection

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