DESCRIPTION:
US Braided Hair half cent, 1843 Original Proof, PCGS PR66RD CAM grade; please note the initial two photos with this lot are PCGS Trueview images, images courtesy of Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS.com). From the estate of noted early American copper collector William Foster Lardner (born 1873, died 1934), and truly fresh to market having not been seen by the numismatic community for the past 90 years. An absolutely mind-blowing coin, with a shockingly bold and vibrant original red color and luster that in its intensity we believe may be wholly unique among the entire surviving population of US half cents. Our experience of first seeing this coin among the Lardner estate is one we will never forget, as we peered inside its wax paper envelope to be greeted by a level of red brilliance unlike anything we have ever encountered among pre-1850 American copper. PCGS population reports indicate that in total only five proof half cents across all dates have been rated as red cameo; the present example is numerically the sole finest graded red cameo of its date, and is numerically tied with a single 1842 example as the finest graded red cameos of the entire half cent series. Stepping beyond the numeric grade, we believe in terms of vibrancy of its original red color the present piece very likely stands in a class of its own apart from any other proof half cent in existence. One hundred eighty-one years into its history, this coin has led a miraculously charmed existence and we are pleased and honored to offer the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own this piece.
CONDITION:
All coins genuine as represented.
ESTIMATE:
$100000
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$200000
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