Pre-Long Beach Auction #84

1797 S-127 R4 F12. Sharpness VF25 or a bit better but covered with uniform very fine roughness under a slightly glossy dark greenish olive brown and steel patina. No verdigris. The only significant marks are a dull scratch in the hair under ER in LIBERTY and another from the N in ONE to the E in CENT. Both scratches are old and blend perfectly into the natural patina. MDS, Breen state IV, with a clear die crack from the dentils through the left top of the second T in STATES to the left foot of the adjacent A, and a vertical die crack up into the field from the bust tip. Double struck. The first strike was centered on the planchet but it was struck a second time slightly off center to K-11 and rotated about 10-15 degrees. The result is a dramatic, easily visible mint error showing the lower half of the first date and the complete second date, plus other doubling on both sides. Removed from an NGC slab graded VF Details, Reverse Scratched (NGC label #2038608-047 included, and it shows the attribution, Double Struck Mint Error status, and the Mervis provenance).
Estimated Value $1,500-UP.
Ex Stack's Bowers 1/2012:8053-Adam Mervis, Heritage 1/10/2014:2605.