1823 Coronet Large Cent, Unofficial Restrike, PCGS MS65+RB, CAC. From the Stacks Bowers sales of the D. Brent Pogue collection, sold on 03/31/17 as lot #5157, and described as: “Gem 1823 Restrike Cent in Copper. 1823 Matron Head Cent. Restrike. Copper. Rarity-3. Mint State-65+ RB (PCGS). This is a lovely example of this popular private restrike. Substantial original red on the obverse is complemented by prooflike texture in the fields. The high points and more vulnerable field areas have toned light steel brown. The reverse is toned more deeply with light steel brown over much of the surface and only traces of orange red visible near the rims. A few small patches of subtle brick patina are also noted but blend well into the overall aesthetic. Of similar die state to the silver example above, this is Noyes' State-I/E, but the prooflike texture suggests some die maintenance. The bisecting crack on the obverse and the one that passes through the D of UNITED are thicker. A crack between T and E of STATES is well defined, and sharply passes the leaves below. Another break is boldly visible through the R in AMERICA. While not an official Mint product, the copper restrikes of the 1823 cent were struck from Mint dies and they began appearing in major collections in the early 1860s. Most advanced cent collections will have at least one, and the various die states make for interesting study and collecting opportunities. Eight different examples, including this and the silver one above, were included in Ted Naftzger's 2009 sale. From the D. Brent Pogue Collection. Publications: Noyes, William C. United States Large Cents 1816-1839, 1991. Provenance: Dr. Charles J. Ruby Collection; Superior Stamp and Coin's sale of the Dr. Charles A. Ruby Collection, February 1975, lot 325; Jerry A. Bobbe; R.E. "Ted" Naftzger, Jr., Collection, by sale, February 1975; R.E. "Ted" Naftzger, Jr. estate, October 2007; Ira and Larry Goldberg Auctioneers' sale of the Ted Naftzger Collection, February 2009, lot 145; John Agre; Cardinal Collection; Stack's Bowers Galleries sale of the Cardinal Collection, January 2013, lot 13035.” The coin sold for $4,700 in the Pogue sale in 2017, and its next appearance was in the Early Cents Auction sale of the Dr. Thomas Wachtel collection, sold on 04/29/23 as lot #164, and described as: “1823 Private Restrike PCGS graded MS65+ Red & Brown. Original red fading to light steel brown with at least half the original color showing on the obverse, less on the reverse. A faint spot of darker toning on the curl over the 2 in the date and a few faint swipes of reddish brown toning mixed in on the reverse are the only notable marks, and they are not at all significant. LDS with two die cracks on the obverse and two more on the reverse, the final crack down from TE in STATES to the earlier crack over the O in ONE. Noyes photo #21950. This was the finest of the 7 copper examples contained in the famous Naftzger Collection. Our grade is MS65. Ex Dr. Charles L. Ruby, Superior 2/10/1975:325-Jerry A. Bobbe 2/1975-R. E. Naftzger, Jr.-Naftzger Estate, McCawley & Grellman Auctions/ Goldbergs 2/1/2009:145-John Agre-Martin Logies (The Cardinal Collection), Stack’s Bowers 1/24/2013:13035-D. Brent Pogue, Stack’s Bowers/ Sotheby’s 3/31/2017:5157-Chris McCawley-Doctor Thomas Wachtel Collection (the PCGS label is a customized one for the Pogue Collection and it notes the Naftzger-Pogue provenance).” The coin sold for $4,320 in the Wachtel sale and is being offered here at $5,500 compared to a non-CAC PCGS Price Guide Value of $4,700. PCGS certification# 81629/65+/32708455.
