Mostly light orange red surfaces display some gentle olive brown mellowing on the high points. This is mostly on the obverse, while the reverse retains even more original color. Just a few superficial marks are seen under magnification. Quite attractive in every respect, this piece is highly lustrous and perfectly showcases the bold die break that gives this piece its name.In the case of this variety, a relatively late die state example adds to its interest, as a larger knob is generally seen as more desirable. In the earliest observed state, only an outline crack is seen and only specialists would recognize such a piece for what it is. Here, a very prominent "knob" break is seen over the ear. In this state, Grellmans state-f, it is actually two distinct knobs, one beneath the T of LIBERTY and a second smaller one beneath the Y. In the rare latest state these two merge to form one large break, and this piece exhibits the beginning of the connecting break rising from the plane of the normal hair detail.Though two pieces have been graded at higher numerical grades by PCGS, one of them is brown and the other is just one point finer. This coin has long been considered the finest known of the variety by specialists, suggesting that this one has more original red. It is ranked CC#1 in both the Grellman and Noyes Census records.
