Notes:
The obverse die of this variety was also used on:
Sheldon 257 
1804 Restrike (after the die had been altered)

This was the only use of the reverse die.

Images courtesy of Superior Galleries 

Significant examples:
NGC MS-66 Brown
- Goldbergs 2/2005:818,
"An astounding gem with uniform golden-brown surfaces. Fully struck with every detail immaculately defined. Every curl of Liberty's hair is in relief and accented by flowing luster. In fact, luster rolls across the entire coin without hesitation and possess a rarely encountered frosty sheen. Splashes of yellow, steel-blue and olive toning grace the obverse surfaces while patches of graphite toning are seen on the reverse. Technically superior, not a single scratch or abrasion evident in the fields or on the devices. This is the Noyes' Plate Coin for the Sheldon-258 variety and it is easy to see why it was chosen for such an honor..."

Recent appearances:
NGC MS-63 Brown
- Bowers & Merena Galleries' "The Lake Geneva Sale", June 28-29, 2001, Lot 26, "B-17, Small Date, Large Fraction", illustrated, sold for $4,370.00

"MS-60 Brown" (illustrated above)
- Superior 06/2000:225
"MS60 Choice glossy steel brown with underlying frosty tan faded down from mint color. The surfaces are smooth and virtually flawless. The only marks are a small spot of slightly darker olive toning near the dentils behind the neck and another on the edge at the lowest curl. LDS. Graded MS60 and above average by Noyes, tied for CC#5. Comes with a nice, old pedigree.  Ex Thomas L. Elder 4/14/1907-Hillyer Ryder, New Netherlands Coin Co., 9/26/53:294-Dr. William H. Sheldon-Raymond Chatham-Del Bland-Gordon J. Wrubel 9/21/74-C. Douglas Smith-Dr. Robert A. Schuman."

PCGS VF-35.  Ex - Bowers & Merena Galleries' "The Lake Geneva Sale", June 28-29, 2001, Lot 27, not illustrated, sold for $368.00

NGC VF-35.  Ex - Bowers and Merena Galleries' Robert W. Schwan Collection Sale, October 26-27, 2000, Lot 145, "Sheldon-258", not plated, sold for $345.00

Del Bland graded VF-20.  Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.'s "Benson Collection, Part I", February 16, 18-20, 2001, Lot 361, "Small date, large fraction.  Sheldon-258, Rarity-1.  Ex: Stack's 10/96:29 as 'MS-63' at $2,530.", illustrated, sold for $1,035.00

Sources and/or recommended reading:
"Penny Whimsy" by Dr. William Sheldon

Relevant collector organizations:
Early American Coppers Club