1849 Braided Hair Cent. N-18. Rarity-6. Proof-64+ BN (PCGS). CAC.Marbled autumn and mahogany-brown patina blankets both sides of this attractively original specimen. Fully struck with broad, squared off rims, direct lighting calls forth modest semi-reflectivity from the fields that further confirms this coins Proof status. Newcomb-18 is a Proof-only die marriage of the 1849 large cent and shares a reverse die with several other Proof issues in the Braided Hair series. When Walter Breen wrote his study of Proof coins, he suggested that "there may be more than a dozen around in all," and enumerated seven or eight examples. The more recent and actively updated data kept by Denis Loring suggests that the number of N-18 specimens may be just a little higher. The present example is a handsome near-Gem that would make an impressive addition to an advanced cabinet.From Heritages ANA Signature Coin Auction of August 2014, lot 5527.
