Lot Number 73

An offering that will entice advanced collectors and students of the series.  Light to medium grey toning, with hints of luster; no marks of consequence.  The “flat” appearance results from an improper cleaning.  (Is there any other kind?)  The reverse die is free of damage, usually seen under the left wing.  The obverse die is without the familiar rim break at stars 5-6.  This early die state is exceedingly rare.  Fewer than a dozen pieces are known.  Strong prices are the norm for the few examples to appear at auction over the past 17 years.  This coin confirms the existence of a remarriage between the obverse and reverse dies, a fact worth discussing.  The earliest or perfect state of the obverse die shows no sign of a rim break between stars 5 and 6. (The case with this coin.)  The die was first paired with a reverse die from the earlier struck 1828 O.113 and 114.  The reverse die, though worn, was then free of the familiar “railroad tracks” below the left wing.  (This coin provides the proof.)  The obverse die, it appears, enjoyed little more than a honeymoon with its first partner.  It was soon married to a new reverse die, that of the 1828 O.122.  (See the preceding lot.)  It was during this marriage that the rim break at stars 5-6 developed.  After a respectably long second marriage (the O.122 is R.3) the obverse die returned (remar­ried) to its first partner.  A few from this remarriage exhibit the obverse die break, but no damage (railroad tracks) on the reverse.  Most, of course, show both a heavy die break on the obverse rim (heavier than on the O.122) and a damaged reverse die.  Since the obverse die appears in its earliest and latest die states on the O.123 we know that the O.122 was struck after the earliest O.123’s and before the later O.123’s.  Voila!  A remarriage is confirmed.  Est. $2,000 to $3,000.

Auction Ended

High Bid	Maximum Bid	Total Price
$0	$0	Not Sold