1841 N.1 (R-6). Choice Proof-63. Red. Bright Red throughout, the surfaces being very pleasing for the grade. This is a later die state of this rare Proof-only die pairing. There is an ever so trivial speck of carbon below Liberty's chin, as well as another between the '84' in the date. On the reverse, a thin hairline extends above the 'NE' of ONE. At the center of the edge adjacent to star twelve, there is a minute pin prick, which may have been caused by some past display case, as matching marks are seen on some of the prior Proofs in this sale.
Identifiable by the very sharp point on the lowest curl which is located just left of the upright of the '4' (this sharp point is the result of overpolishing or lapping of the obverse die as the curl is normally blunt on the obverse hub used for Liberty), and by the die scratch which connects 'IT_D' just missing the base of the 'E'. Minute triangular rim cud above the second 'T' of STATES as often seen on these. Curiously this is one of the most plentiful dates of all Proof Large Cents save for the final three years of issue. Perhaps more were coined to include in copper sets, as the silver Proofs issued from 1841 are all extremely rare as noted by David Akers in the Pittman catalog. No explanation for this comparatively large issue presents itself.
Ex F.C.C. Boyd and Judge Thomas L. Gaskill Collections (New Netherlands, June 20, 1958, lot 1237 at $120).
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