Rarity: Very Common

Variety Equivalents: Breen 1873

Notes:
One of the "Booby Head" varieties; identified by the unnatural way the hair curls around the back of the truncation.  This obverse die also appears on Newcomb 15 of this year and this reverse die also appears on Newcomb 6 of this year.

Images courtesy of John D. Wright

Recent appearances:
NGC MS-63 Brown.  Ex - Bowers and Merena Galleries' Robert W. Schwan Collection Sale, October 26-27, 2000, Lot 276, "Newcomb-11, Booby Head" @$690.00

PCGS graded MS-64 Red and Brown and Del Bland graded MS-62.  Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.'s "Benson Collection, Part I", February 16, 18-20, 2001, lot 530, illustrated, where it was described as follows: "Booby head. Newcomb-11, Rarity-1… Exquisite medium chocolate brown and mint red surfaces, quite well struck and centered and flawless except for a small carbon spot touching the nostril. This is one of the nicest examples to appear at auction in recent years. Here is an outstanding example of the popular Booby Head variety. The mint color is very appealing, and the surfaces are pristine. As to the carbon spot near Liberty's nose, it is small and not too distracting. Ex: James G. Macallister 6/6/44 as "A5 Unc." at $5.00.", sold for $2,415.00

NGC graded MS-64 Brown and Del Bland graded AU-50.  Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.'s "Benson Collection, Part I", February 16, 18-20, 2001, lot 531, illustrated, where it was described as follows: "Booby head. Newcomb-11, Rarity-1… Nearly mint state in sharpness but at the junction of the forehead and curl is a spot of raised dark red corrosion and between stars two and three is a small carbon spot and a minor scratch. Medium light chocolate brown.", sold for $310.00

PCGS graded AU-58 and Del bland graded EF-45.  Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.'s "Benson Collection, Part I", February 16, 18-20, 2001, lot 532, illustrated, where it was described as follows: "Booby head. Newcomb-11, Rarity-1… Medium chocolate brown with very small nicks at the right side of star eleven and below star eight. Well struck and centered. This is a really lovely Booby head cent, the color is even and choice, and the surfaces show few signs of contact and only a touch of circulation. Well struck on the stars and Liberty's curls, and an important Guide Book variety. Ex: James G. Macallister, circa 1944 as "A5 Unc." for $7.50.", sold for $402.00

AU50.  Ex - Superior Galleries "Pre-Long Beach Coin Sale", May 27-29, 2001, Lot 1218, illustrated,  sold for $207.00

Sources and/or recommended reading:
"The Cent Book 1816-1839" by John D. Wright

Relevant collector organizations:
Early American Coppers Club