 1916 Doubled Die Obverse. Breen 2599, Fivaz-Stanton #5¢-016. Very Choice Brilliant Uncirculated. This sharply struck coin must rank very high in any list of finest known examples of this spectacular early Buffalo variety. Collectors generally call this the doubled date, but there is far more to it than only the date, however fantastic that feature may be. The bold double impression of all four digits in the date is visible to the naked eye, but a glass shows that the Indian's chin, throat and feathers are also boldly doubled.
This obverse exhibits boldly glowing tawny gold, nearly orange in its exciting intensity. The reverse is a deeper color approaching olive, highlighting the extraordinary sharpness of the denomination, legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. Interest in this bold variety has skyrocketed since it was listed in the ''Red Book,'' and after the late Walter Breen assigned it its own number in his Complete Encyclopedia. Breen wrote, ''Ex. rare. usually in low grades.'' The accuracy of his remark is reflected in the major grading services' population statistics. PCGS has encapsulated more than 100 examples but only four were in Mint State: NGC has handled 59 examples, only six in Mint State: two MS63, two MS64. Allowing for coins run more than once past the services in search of up-grading, it can be seen that the real number of Mint State pieces in the market is fewer than 10. This sharply struck piece must rank near the top of this list.
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