Pre-Long Beach Auction #84

1795 C-2a/b R7+ Punctuated Date on a Thin Planchet with Lettered Edge AG3. A few points sharper but covered with light to moderate corrosion on all but the highpoints, which are smooth. No marks or verdigris. The date and legends are weak but readable although some letters and devices are distorted by the corrosion. Slightly glossy dark chocolate brown with lighter steel brown toning on the highpoints of the reverse. The edge lettering is partially visible but obvious and some of the letters hang off the planchet because they are taller than the planchet is thick. Weight 89.2 grains versus the thick-planchet standard of 104.0 grains. Manley lists 3 examples of the 95C2a known on a thin planchet with edge lettering. We know the transition from thick 104.0-grain lettered edge planchets occurred during production of this variety. Obviously a few of the thin planchets got misdirected to the Castaing machine and had edge letters added to them, and we know of at least one thick planchet 95C2 that escaped the mint without having the edge lettering applied (see page 49 in the Manley reference). Weight 89.2 grains. Comes with a nice provenance.
Estimated Value $2,000-UP.
Ex Jon Lusk 11/15/1997-the Missouri Cabinet, Davy Collection sale, McCawley & Grellman Auctions/Goldbergs 9/4/2011:128 (lot ticket included).