^Lot 136 1839 N-9 R2 Silly Head, PCGS graded MS65 Red & Brown, CAC Approved

1839 N-9 R2 Silly Head, PCGS graded MS65 Red & Brown, CAC ApprovedLustrous bright mint red fading to steel brown on the highpoints, 65% of the original color remaining on the obverse, 80% on the reverse. The only defects are traces of an old fingerprint at stars 4-5 and under CE in CENT. This cent has superb eye appeal in spite of the fingerprints and an 1839 cent with this much bright original mint color is a major rarity. E.-MDS, die state b. A fine die crack meanders from the dentils above star 5 through the portrait to the dentils right of the date. The fields are covered with microscopic radial die flowlines that give this cent great cartwheel luster. Called MS70- and CC#1 in the Bland census. Noyes says MS63 and tied for CC#3, his photo #21075. Our grade is MS66.Certificate Number: 37235.65/13085030Pedigree: Ex William Festus Morgan, J. C. Morgenthau & Co., 6/16/1932:309-Milton A. Holmes, Stack's 10/5/1960:1593 (as "N-4")-C. Douglas Smith-Jerry A. Bobbe 6/14/1982-R. E. "Ted" Naftzger, Jr.-Naftzger Estate, McCawley & Grellman Auctions/Goldbergs 2/1/2009:461-Terry S. Denman Collection