Eric P. Newman Collection, Part IX

1913 5C Type One PR65 NGC. James Earle Fraser designed the Buffalo nickel after convincing Mint officials "The idea of the Indian and the buffalo on the same coin is, without doubt, purely American and seems to be singularly appropriate to have on one of our national coins." Fraser also designed the 1926 Oregon Trail Memorial commemorative half dollar, another purely American design that perhaps equals the Buffalo nickel in its high level of artistry. While the new nickel design was approved in mid-1912, engraving of the dies was delayed while Fraser was forced to modify the depth of its relief in an attempt to satisfy the vending and coin-operated machine lobby, which argued that the new nickel would not conform to its counterfeit-detection apparatus (designed to work with the previous Liberty Head nickel design). The "tail wagged the dog" for several months as Fraser attempted to refine the design. Production was delayed into the new year and it was not until February 15, 1913 that the Mint declared no more changes would be made in that regard. The design elements of this Gem proof are intricately defined, and the rich matte luster yields warm champagne toning with no distracting marks. The Type One proof not only shows the bison standing on a mound with the denomination elevated, it also has more a ruggedly refined texture in the fields that was largely eliminated on the Type Two variant. Many series specialists consider the Type One to be the aesthetically superior design. Ex: "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp and Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $6.00; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15074, realized $3360. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1839 1C Booby Head, N-13, R.2, MS65 Red and Brown NGC. CAC. The origin of the term Booby Head apparently predates the Silly Head term by several years, appearing in Edward Cogan's October 1859 priced catalog of the W.C. Tripler Collection. The Newcomb 13-die pair is one of nine Booby Head varieties that were created from seven very similar obverse dies. The reverse die was used first for N-15, then for N-13, and here displays prominent die cracks through TED STAT. A series of small lumps on the obverse rim from 11 o'clock to 2 o'clock are likely small flanges that were folded over during striking, although they appear almost identical to small rim breaks. Both sides are fully lustrous with bluish-brown toning and considerable original orange mint luster. The present piece from the Eric P. Newman Collection easily ranks within the Condition Census for the variety and is likely the second or third finest known example. Our EAC grade MS64. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15072, realized $8400. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1839 1C Booby Head, N-13, R.2, MS65 Red and Brown NGC. CAC. The origin of the term Booby Head apparently predates the Silly Head term by several years, appearing in Edward Cogan's October 1859 priced catalog of the W.C. Tripler Collection. The Newcomb 13-die pair is one of nine Booby Head varieties that were created from seven very similar obverse dies. The reverse die was used first for N-15, then for N-13, and here displays prominent die cracks through TED STAT. A series of small lumps on the obverse rim from 11 o'clock to 2 o'clock are likely small flanges that were folded over during striking, although they appear almost identical to small rim breaks. Both sides are fully lustrous with bluish-brown toning and considerable original orange mint luster. The present piece from the Eric P. Newman Collection easily ranks within the Condition Census for the variety and is likely the second or third finest known example. Our EAC grade MS64. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15072, realized $8400. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1839 1C Silly Head, N-9, R.2, MS64+ Brown NGC. CAC. The terms Silly Head and Booby Head have been associated with the cents of 1839 for a century and a half since they were described by Ebenezer Mason in his article, "Peculiarities of American Coins" in the June 1868 issue of Mason's Coin and Stamp Collector's Magazine: {blockquote}"The Silly head is more arched on the top than the last [Head of 1838]; has the lock over the forehead short, and the line under the word Cent on the reverse, but without the mint mark."{/blockquote} Mason's term "mint mark" is what we know today as a center dot. Apparently like always, this piece has a delicate bisecting obverse die crack from 11 o'clock across the head to 5 o'clock. An additional crack extends downward through Liberty's nose and chin. The dentilation on both sides is weak on this late die state piece. This impressive near-Gem example has lustrous olive-brown surfaces with considerable original orange mint luster. Only a small patch of green corrosion on the hair strands below the inner hair bun prevents a Gem grade assessment. Our EAC grade MS63. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15071, realized $2880. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1839 1C Silly Head, N-9, R.2, MS64+ Brown NGC. CAC. The terms Silly Head and Booby Head have been associated with the cents of 1839 for a century and a half since they were described by Ebenezer Mason in his article, "Peculiarities of American Coins" in the June 1868 issue of Mason's Coin and Stamp Collector's Magazine: {blockquote}"The Silly head is more arched on the top than the last [Head of 1838]; has the lock over the forehead short, and the line under the word Cent on the reverse, but without the mint mark."{/blockquote} Mason's term "mint mark" is what we know today as a center dot. Apparently like always, this piece has a delicate bisecting obverse die crack from 11 o'clock across the head to 5 o'clock. An additional crack extends downward through Liberty's nose and chin. The dentilation on both sides is weak on this late die state piece. This impressive near-Gem example has lustrous olive-brown surfaces with considerable original orange mint luster. Only a small patch of green corrosion on the hair strands below the inner hair bun prevents a Gem grade assessment. Our EAC grade MS63. Ex: Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15071, realized $2880. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1809 1C S-280, B-1, R.2, AU55 NGC. Breen Die State IV, showing a single die crack from the E in STATES to the leaves below. An attractive example of the intermediate die state, this Choice AU piece exhibits glossy olive-brown surfaces with an uneven strike that is bold at the lower right obverse and weak at the upper left obverse. Stars 3 through 7 are mostly absent, and UNIT is partially readable. A few scattered marks are evident on each side, but the overall presentation is far finer than usual for this Classic Head issue. Our EAC grade XF45. Ex: "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp and Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $25.00; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15070, realized $6600. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1809 1C S-280, B-1, R.2, AU55 NGC. Breen Die State IV, showing a single die crack from the E in STATES to the leaves below. An attractive example of the intermediate die state, this Choice AU piece exhibits glossy olive-brown surfaces with an uneven strike that is bold at the lower right obverse and weak at the upper left obverse. Stars 3 through 7 are mostly absent, and UNIT is partially readable. A few scattered marks are evident on each side, but the overall presentation is far finer than usual for this Classic Head issue. Our EAC grade XF45. Ex: "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp and Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $25.00; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15070, realized $6600. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1800 1C S-212, B-20, R.3 -- Obv Scratched -- NGC Details. Unc. Breen Die State III, an intermediate die state before the appearance of obverse die cracks. This impressive piece exhibits strong cartwheel luster on its tan and dark olive-brown surfaces, with traces of mint red in the protected areas on each side. The right obverse field and the left reverse field between the D in UNITED and S in STATES exhibit well-blended old scratches that are only visible in certain angles. William Noyes grades this piece MS60 sharpness, net 40, and we agree with his assessment. Only two examples in the Noyes Condition Census have Mint State sharpness, and the other one is finest known with a net grade of AU50. Our EAC grade XF40. Ex: "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp and Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $35.00; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society. Possibly earlier from the E.W. Ropes Collection (New York Coin and Stamp Co., 2/1899), lot 49.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15069, realized $3360. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1800 1C S-212, B-20, R.3 -- Obv Scratched -- NGC Details. Unc. Breen Die State III, an intermediate die state before the appearance of obverse die cracks. This impressive piece exhibits strong cartwheel luster on its tan and dark olive-brown surfaces, with traces of mint red in the protected areas on each side. The right obverse field and the left reverse field between the D in UNITED and S in STATES exhibit well-blended old scratches that are only visible in certain angles. William Noyes grades this piece MS60 sharpness, net 40, and we agree with his assessment. Only two examples in the Noyes Condition Census have Mint State sharpness, and the other one is finest known with a net grade of AU50. Our EAC grade XF40. Ex: "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp and Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $35.00; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society. Possibly earlier from the E.W. Ropes Collection (New York Coin and Stamp Co., 2/1899), lot 49.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15069, realized $3360. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

1799/8 1C S-188, B-2, R.4, Good 6 NGC. CAC. Breen Die State II, showing faint clash marks on the obverse. Our EAC grade is commensurate with the NGC grade, this piece grading VG8 on the obverse and Good 4 on the reverse. LIBERTY is bold while the bottoms of the date digits lightly merge into the border. Most of the legend letters on the reverse merge with the border. The light steel-brown surfaces are exceptionally smooth and pleasing, especially for the low numerical grade. A Choice designation is intuitive. Ex: "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp and Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $50.00; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15068, realized $11400. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.