1792 Roman Head cent. Baker-19, Musante GW-21, W-10840. Proof-66 BN (PCGS).Perhaps the most distinctive design in the whole realm of early Washingtoniana, here represented by a piece tied for finest certified by PCGS. Iridescent pale blue, violet, and rose covers the reflective fields against a light brown backdrop. The devices are glossy, not frosted, typical for the variety but a bit unusual for something struck in this era in a Proof finish. A little spot by the chin matches another near the bust truncation, but neither is easily noticed, nor are some light parallel obverse hairlines. The reverse is especially choice, reflective, and lovely. <p>By most accountings, there are about a dozen of these extant, though the careful preservation of most survivors makes tracing provenance chains challenging. While clearly struck as an American reference piece, this issue was produced for the British token market of its day, a plum for a cabinet tray, with a portrait meant to tickle and amuse Englishmen. These pieces started to arrive on this side of the Atlantic by the 1850s, as interest in coin collecting and Washington medals reached a fever pitch. Snowden published the type in 1860, and it has been a must-have for Washington and colonial-era enthusiasts ever since.PCGS Population: 2, none finer.From the Archangel Collection. Earlier, from Stack’s sale of the John L. Roper, 2nd Collection, December 1983, lot 378.
