1851/81 Braided Hair Cent. N-3. Rarity-1. MS-65 RB (PCGS).Bright orange-red copper is the first impression of the surfaces, though the most vulnerable areas of the obverse have mellowed to faint steel-brown. The reverse is bright and fresh, with nearly full red color save for the very highest points of the design which have taken on slight olive patina. A few tiny spots scattered on the obverse are useful for identification purposes, but there are only the most superficial signs of handling. One tiny nick is seen at the rim near star 10, but nothing else is worthy of specific mention.This desirable variety is sought after by copper specialists as well as Guide Book-listed variety collectors. This truly choice example is particularly desirable, struck from the early die state, Noyes A/A, where the erroneously punched date digits are sharpest and myriad die lines are evident on both sides. The inverted 18 behind the 51 in the date is clearly evident as are the many heavy crisscrossing die lines in the obverse field and along the right reverse border that fade in the later states. The surfaces are frosty and details sharp, save for a few of the star centers which are typically incomplete on this variety.This lovely Gem was among the most longstanding coins of the Naftzger Collection. Mr. Naftzger bought this coin in 1947 and, knowing a great coin when he had it, he kept it for the rest of his life. It is tied for finest known in both the Noyes and Grellman records and is truly outstanding.Ex Roscoe F. Ballard Collection; Abe Kosoff, by sale; R.E. Ted Naftzger, Jr. Collection, by sale, May 1947; R.E. Ted Naftzger, Jr. estate, October 2007; Ira and Larry Goldbergs sale of the Ted Naftzger Collection, September 2009, lot 1021; our sale of the D. Brent Pogue Collection, Part V, March 2017, lot 5216. Collector envelope with attribution and provenance notes included.
