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Images courtesy of Superior
Galleries
Significant examples:
PCGS Proof-66 Red (illustrated above). Ex - Superior Galleries' "Pre-Long Beach Sale",
October 1-3, 2000, Lot 4165, illustrated, sold for $74,750.00, where it was described as follows: "Population:
1, with 0 higher. Deep golden red color with the fields spectacular in
their spot-free originality. The state of preservation of any
"red" Two-center is difficult to imagine, since copper by its
very nature tends to show fingerprints and tarnish quite readily. This
1864, the scarcer of the varieties and a coin that happens to be the
rarest variety in the entire short-lived series, is just such a
tarnish-free specimen. In addition, is boasts needle-sharp devices, with
the shield especially impressive when viewed under magnification. The
entire coin, in fact, is impressive to examine as well as to ponder, as
any "Finest Known" is destined to be. It resides in PCGS holder
2575127. The alloy of 88% copper and 12% nickel, authorized for the
Cent by the Act of Feb. 21, 1857, had been found to be hard and difficult
to work. Therefore, on Dec. 8, 1863, James Pollock, Director of the Mint,
asked for a new alloy consisting of 95% copper, 3% tin and 2% zinc. Along
with the change in metal alloy, Pollock requested permission to issue a
new denomination. In a letter of the same date, he writes, "I also
propose for your consideration the coinage of a two-cent piece, same
material and double weight of the cent, and with such devices and motto as
may be approved by you. This piece would be a great public convenience,
and its coinage, in my opinion, should be authorized. The devices are
beautiful and appropriate, and the motto on each such, as all who fear God
and love their country, will approve. I prefer the "shield and
arrows" to the "head of Washington," on the obverse of the
coin. They are submitted for your consideration. If you approve the change
of material, and the coinage of the two-cent piece, or either, I will, if
you direct it, prepare a supplement to the existing laws, to be by you
submitted to Congress for their action." Patterns were quickly
prepared in 1863 and early 1864, with the first production being a limited
run of Small Motto coins."
PCGS Proof-65 Red and
Brown. Offered by Kagin's (Tiburon, CA) in the October 2003 issue of
THE NUMISMATIST for $57,500.00 (no prior pedigree).
PCGS Proof-65 Brown
(illustrated below). Ex
- Superior Galleries' "Pre-Long Beach Sale", October 1-3, 2000,
Lot 4166, "Small Motto", illustrated, sold for $25,300.00
Recent appearances:
Very Choice Brilliant Proof.
Ex- Stack's "65th Anniversary Sale", October
17-19, 2000, Lot 244, "Small Motto", plated, sold for $20,700.00
Ex -
Superior Stamp & Coin's session of Auction '80, Lot 16 (part of a
complete set)
NGC MS-65 Red. Ex
- Superior Galleries' "Pre-Long Beach Sale", October 1-3, 2000,
Lot 4167, "Small Motto", illustrated, sold for $3,105.00
MS-65, Brown. Ex - Ira
& Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.'s "Benson
Collection, Part I", February 16, 18-20, 2001, Lot 1446, "Small
Motto", illustrated, sold for $1,035.00 Purchased from Ira S. Reed, 2/16/1945 for $22
MS-64 Red and Brown. Ex - Superior Galleries "The ANA 2001
National Money Show Auction", March 8-9, 2001, Lot 115, sold
for $2,070.00
PCGS MS-64, Brown. Ex
- Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.'s "Benson
Collection, Part I", February 16, 18-20, 2001, Lot 1447, "Small
Motto", illustrated, sold for $834.00 Purchased with a set 1864-1873 from J.H.N. 8/30/1944 for
$65
MS-64 Red. Ex - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s
"Philadelphia 2000 Signature Sale", August 6-7, 2000, Lot 5454,
"Small Motto", not plated, sold for $1,495.00
NGC MS-64 Red and
Brown. Ex - Superior Galleries'
"Pre-Long Beach Sale", October 1-3, 2000, Lot 4168, "Small
Motto", not illustrated, sold for $902.75
Very Choice Brilliant
Uncirculated. Ex - Stack's "65th Anniversary Sale",
October 17-19, 2000, Lot 245, "Small Motto", not plated, sold for $460.00
NGC MS-63 Brown. Ex - Bowers & Merena Galleries' "The
Cabinet of Lucien M. LaRiviere, Part II", March 15-17, 2001, Lot
1292, sold for $529.00
NGC MS-62 Brown. Ex - Bowers & Merena Galleries' "The
Cabinet of Lucien M. LaRiviere, Part II", March 15-17, 2001, Lot 1293,
sold for $414.00
MS-60 Brown, Cleaned. Ex- Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s
"October 2000 Long Beach Sale", October 5-7, 2000, Lot 6686,
"Small Motto", not illustrated, sold for $414.00
AU-58. Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coin & Collectibles'
"The Fairchild Family Trust Collection Sale", May 28-30, 2001,
Lot 357, not illustrated, sold for $368.00
About Uncirculated. Ex
- Stack's "65th Anniversary Sale", October 17-19, 2000, Lot 246,
"Small Motto", not plated, sold for $575.00
Choice Very Fine. Ex -
Stack's "65th Anniversary Sale", October 17-19, 2000, Lot 247,
"Small Motto", not plated, sold for $172.50
VG-8. Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coin & Collectibles'
"The Fairchild Family Trust Collection Sale", May 28-30, 2001,
Lot 358, not illustrated, sold for $69.00
Sources and/or recommended
reading:
"The PCGS Population Report, July 2003" by The
Professional Coin Grading Service
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