1811 Classic Head Cent. S-287. Rarity-2. MS-64 BN (NGC).This glossy beauty is dressed in a blend of deep copper, reddish-brown and pale gold patina, the obverse the more vivid of the two sides. Both are smooth and satiny with no blemishes of note. The obverse is a bit tight to the right border, but otherwise we note full denticulation around both sides. All major design elements are boldly to sharply defined. With outstanding eye appeal, as well, this technically superior Classic Head cent has tremendous appeal for both high grade type and variety purposes. Breen Die State II-III, intermediate die state with faint bulges between the final digit 1 in the date and star 13 on the obverse and between the words OF and AMERICA on the reverse. There are, however, no clash marks evident within the wreath. There are only two known die marriages of the 1811 cent, and they are easily distinguished because one is an overdate and the other a "perfect" date. Sheldon-287 is the "perfect" date, also identifiable by a prominent die scratch in the left obverse field from star 5 toward Libertys nose. Both varieties also employ different reverse dies, that used to strike S-287 without a defect in the field under the letter E in ONE and with the tip of the uppermost leaf in the wreath just past the final letter S in STATES. The Classic Head cent is a conditionally challenging type as a whole, Mint State survivors such as this rare irrespective of date or die pairing. Worthy of inclusion in the finest collection.<p> From the Collection of Thaddeus A. Tatum III.
