1809 Classic Head Cent. S-280, the only known dies. Rarity-2. MS-64 BN (PCGS).Rich steel-brown patina with glossy surfaces. Both sides are nicely centered in strike, peripheral weakness typical of the issue, the central devices pleasingly bold. There are no blemishes of note apart from a few wispy hairlines over the lower obverse and a small reverse spot above the letter T in CENT. Breen Die State VIII. This is the Sheldon (<em>Penny Whimsy</em>) plate coin, and the reverse is also pictured in <em>Early American Cents</em>. The 1809 is a single die marriage issue in the Classic Head cent series, the present example ranking among the finest known to PCGS. Del Bland grades it EAC MS-60 and tied for CC#4, while Noyes calls it EAC AU-50 and tied for CC#7. An impressive provenance adds to this coin already tremendous appeal. Outstanding! From the Collection of Thaddeus A. Tatum III. Earlier ex S.H. Chapmans sale of the John P. Lyman Collection, November 1913, lot 432; Henry Chapman; Virgil M. Brand; Carl Wurtzbach; Dr. William H. Sheldon, April 1972; R.E. "Ted" Naftzger, Jr.; Early American Coppers sale of April 1989, lot 165; Del Bland; Chris Victor-McCawley; Dr. Robert J. Shalowitz; Tallarico Rare Coins; Dr. Robert Bye; our (Stacks) sale of May 1997, lot 386; Heritages sale of the Eugene H. Gardner Collection, June 2014, lot 30029. Heritage lot tag included.
