We could write a full page and not do justice to the beauty of this cent, we believe it to be the finest known cent of this year regardless of variety. - James G. Macallister, 1945The beauty of this cent, legendary for a century, remains undiminished today, with pastel blue intermingling with the abundant mint color remaining on the obverse and dominating the spectacular reverse. Thorough cartwheel luster enlivens each toning highlight. While mint color covers most of the top half of the obverse, a good light reveals violet and gold hues, strongest within mellowed tones at the base of that side. The reverse presents an even blue shade against a brown backdrop, but embraces areas of gold and faded mint color within the design elements. The surfaces are glossy, with some applied build-up visible in areas, particularly right of the date. The subtle abrasions beneath Libertys hair bow affect the applied surface gloss rather than the surface itself. The contact points on Libertys face and short dig that crosses the edge of her shoulder drapery are truly trivial, as is a curved scratch hides left of the top of the second S in STATES. Both sides are resoundingly attractive and close to pristine, offering unparalleled aesthetic appeal.This advanced die state, equivalent to Breens State IV, shows a wealth of clashes and breaks. Arcs of concentric lathe lines are prominent at Libertys shoulder and are also visible within the hair atop her head. Clashes are both plentiful and extremely bold on sides, with the greatest concentration visible among the letters of LIBERTY on the obverse and the fraction on the reverse. Vestiges of clashing are also seen throughout the right obverse field and among the letters of AMERICA and UN of UNITED, and a cud break has formed above B of LIBERTY.Far and away the finest of this variety and considered the finest survivor of this date, this coin stands alone atop the PCGS Population Report. It is one of only three cents of the Draped Bust design type to be graded MS-67 RB by PCGS, a grade that has never been surpassed by any specimen. Howard R. Newcomb is said to have called this coin "the most beautiful early cent" by Dr. Sheldon, who documented the quote on his typewritten envelope. Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but this cent has as good a claim on the title "most beautiful" as any early cent around.In conjunction with the release of his 1925 book on the cents of 1801, 1802, and 1803, Newcomb displayed "his collection of cents of 1801, 1802, and 1803, of which there were 114 varieties, all in the best possible condition," at the American Numismatic Association convention that year, The Numismatist reported in October 1925. Twenty years later, this coin was a sensation at the 1945 Newcomb sale, bringing $150, a shocking sum considering the gem 1802 S-235 offered as lot 370 in that sale brought $90. The Breen book, following Sheldons envelope, recounts "Newcomb often exhibited [his S-235] along with his S-234 as just a pair of 1802 cents." Everyone was in on the joke, as there was no finer pair of 1802 cents anywhere on the planet.
