1797 Draped Bust Cent. S-142/143, Rarity-5+/5. Obverse Brockage, Rarity-8. EF-45 (PCGS). This cent features a dramatic blunder that will surely appeal to both mint error enthusiasts and early copper specialists. The surfaces are beautifully and originally toned in warm medium brown with a subtle intermingling of pale olive. Faint traces of steel-brown in the protected areas around and within some of the design elements are associated with a bit of ancient surface build up. The conventional obverse strike (mounted as the reverse in the PCGS holder) is perfectly centered within a fully denticulated border. All of its design elements are boldly to sharply defined with only light wear appropriate for the Choice EF grade. The top of the digit 7 in the date is embedded in the drapery and the point of the hair curl at the top of Libertys head is under the inner curve of the letter B in LIBERTY. This is the obverse die used in the Sheldon-142 and 143 pairings. The reverse shows an incuse, intaglio impression of this same obverse die, also well centered, but with no denticulation from 2 to 6 oclock. Both sides have only light, wispy marks, a fresh, yet shallow scuff in the left reverse field results in a flash of bright orange color that serves as a useful identifier. Here is an intriguing specimen to examine in hand due to the mint error, and also in highly attractive preservation.<p>While this may technically be a reverse brockage to some, most collectors will recognize this type of error as an obverse brockage, resulting in an intaglio impression of the obverse die on the reverse side of the planchet. As a class, brockages are quite rare on large cents and are typically limited to the Classic and Matron Head types struck from 1808 through 1835. Just a handful of brockages from the Draped Bust series are known, and the present example is particularly desirable since it features the obverse die of the scarce S-142 and 143 attributions (Rarity-5+ and Rarity-5, respectively). Apparently new to market, this is an exciting offering that is sure to see spirited bidding before realizing a strong price.<p>We know of only one other obverse brockage involving the obverse die of Sheldon 142/143, and that is the Good-6 coin that appeared as lot 32 in Superiors July 2003 sale of the Michael Arconti Collection of United States Large Cent Errors. The only other Draped Bust cent with a similar obverse brockage that we have offered in recent years is the 1800 S-209 in NGC AU-50 that brought $12,000 as lot 1159 in our August 2020 Auction.
