Walter Breen's Encyclopedia of Early United States Cents

Obverse 9.

Reverse N. Similar to reverse M with vestigial bases to E(S) and F, and spiny serif to C(E), but the berry stem nearest M is of normal length. Vertical stems to berries below c(E) and OF. Zeroes are thick and defective within their upper right, especially the second. Plain spike atop I(C).

Edge: Single-flange edge (SFE) and plain edge (PE).

Die states: 1. Obverse as number 15, state IV.

II. Obverse as number 15, state IX. Zeros are more defective than ever. Equivalents: Sheldon NC-3. EAC 26. Encyclopedia. 1737.

Rarity 6.

Remarks: Discovered by Sheldon in 1947.

The state I coins were apparently made before the last of number 15 while the state II coins were made after reverse M was discarded. Why reverse N was discarded is unknown.

Condition Census:

EF-40 Virgil M. Brand as "D-148" • Henry C. Hines as "S-199" • Dr. William H. Sheldon, 4/19/1972 • R. E. Naftzger, Jr., 2/23/1992 • Eric Streiner • Thomas D. Reynolds. Reverse illustrated in Early American Cents and in Penny Whimsy. Obverse and reverse illustrated in Noyes. Discovered by Dr. Sheldon to be a new variety in 1947.

VF-25 Discovered by Walter Breen in a date set consigned to Pine Tree Rare Coin Auction Sales 9/1973: 119 $1,100 • Robinson S. Brown, Jr., 11/1976 • Denis W. Loring, 3/1979. Robinson S. Brown, Jr. • Superior Galleries 9/1986: 289 $4,180 • Joseph Tomasko, Jr. State 1.

VG-8 Sharpness of F-15 but finely porous. M & G Auctions 1/1997: 235 $2,640 •Stuart "Mac" MacDonald • Heritage Numismatic Auctions 9/1997: 5150 $2,645 • John R. Frankenfield.

VG-8 Purchased unattributed by C. Douglas Smith, 12/1962 • A. Kosoff • R. E. Naftzger, Jr. • New Netherlands Coin Co. 11/1973: 515 $800 • Dr. Byron M. Stuart • 1977 ANA (Kagin's Numismatic Auctions #309): 299 $750 • William R. T. Smith • John D. Wright.

VG-7 Joseph Attutis.

VG-7 Sharpness of F-15 but reverse encrusted with red corrosion and some also on obverse. Donald Ballou • C. Douglas Smith, 1/27/1956 • Dorothy Paschal, 11/1977 • Dr. Thomas S. Chalkley • Superior Galleries 1/1990: 412 $2,310 • Wes A. Rasmussen.

VG-7 Grant.

G-6 Purchased unattributed on 7/4/1991 from Albert Schradzki (Gable's Coin & Stamp Shop) by Henry T. Hettger • Grant O. Reed.

G-6 Gordon Harnack, 11/1970 • Gordon J. Wrubel, 4/1972 • Robinson S. Brown, Jr. • Superior Stamp & Coin Co. 1/1996: 279 $2,200.

G-6 Sharpness of VF-25 but corroded with hairline scratches. Purchased unattributed by Edward Janis • M & G Auctions 1/1997: 236 $797.50 • Thomas D. Reynolds, 4/1997 • W. M. "Jack" Wadlington.

G-5 C. Douglas Smith, 10/1970 • Darwin B. Palmer, Jr. • Dr. Dane B. Nielsen, 1/1972 • Denis W. Loring, 5/ 1974. Dr. Robert J. Shalowitz • John W. Adams, 9/26/ 1974. Philip Van Cleave • Kagin's Numismatic Auctions #340, 1/1986: 5221 $1,072.50 • Jack H. Robinson • McLaughlin & Robinson #4369, 2/1988: 89 $1,173 • Frank H. Stillinger. State I.

G-5 James Payette (New Hampshire Numismatics) • A. Dean Tomlinson, Jr. 12/1977 • Jack H. Beymer. Roger S. Cohen, Jr. • Superior Galleries 2/1992: 905 • Joel Spingarn, 4/1995 • Denis W. Loring, 4/1995 • Dr. Bruce Reinoehl.

G-5 Steve Ivy Numismatic Auctions #1, 2/1983: 1920 as "5-208" (large lot) $400 • William F. Tivol.

G-4 Sharpness of VG-8 but pit marks with green corrosion on reverse. Purchased unattributed in 12/1963 by Herbert A. Silberman, 11/1977. Chuck Furjanic. Enoch Blackwell.

G-4 Purchased unattributed in 6/1995 by Rod Burress • Thomas D. Reynolds.

G-4 Purchased unattributed in 4/1976 by Fred H. Borcherdt.

G-4 Purchased unattributed on 4/8/1990 by James Young, Jr.