Lot Number 1
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1806 Pt. 6, Lg. Stars - O.110 Prime R.7 PCGS VG 8
Making its inaugural auction appearance, this is a remarkable coin to open a remarkable sale. The O.110 die pair is an established rarity. In the mid-1960’s Paul Munson, BHNC member #2, discovered the variety, spotting it in the inventory of A & A Coins of Iowa City, Iowa. Munson specialized in the Heraldic Eagle series, 1801-1807. His collection included the charismatic 1806 Knob 6, No Stem O.108. Superior Galleries sold Munson’s coins in Oct. 1989, a featured part of the Jascha Heifetz Collection Sale. At the time, there were but 10 known examples of the O.110. (Are there even 20 today?) Munson’s was an XF-AU example, but cleaned. Each example then known displayed a prominent obverse die break from the rim between stars 10-11 to Ms. Liberty’s mouth. Munson’s friend and contemporary, Richard Pugh, coined the term Elephant Trunk to reference the variety. It was not until the 1990’s that an example without an Elephant Trunk appeared. The current offering, a new discovery, is the 4th known example of the prime die state. I find no record of a prior auction appearance. The rarity of the O.110 confirms an early fracture and resulting failure of the obverse die. The coin is well circulated with natural grey toning, lighter on the devices. There are disturbances under the left side of the date and inside stars 2 and 3, nothing inconsistent with the modest VG grade. Expect stern competition for this exceedingly rare “prime” example of the O.110. The O.110 features a large-star punch, the only pointed 6 variety to do so. The stars appear larger than on any other die of the year. It remains a strong candidate for inclusion in a forthcoming edition of the Red Book. Est. $7,500 and up.
