拍品描述： 1793年飘发1分 极美 1793 (ca. 1860) Flowing Hair Cent

1793 (ca. 1860) Flowing Hair Cent. Wreath Reverse. "Smith Counterfeit". Vine and Bars Edge. EF-40.An outstanding example of the distinctive and popular mid-19^th century work of William D. Smith of 1 Ann Street, New York City. Smith used worn-down, thick planchet large cents as his canvases and painstakingly re-engraved the entire design of each side (as well as the edge) with incredible skill. He made pieces to resemble all three types of 1793 cents, though most frequently Wreath cents as here, and they are known with both lettered and vine & bars edges, the latter on the piece offered here. This is one of the finer examples known, both in terms of stylistic execution and surface quality. Lovely light chocolate brown in color and the surfaces are smooth and well-preserved. These "Smith Counterfeits" have long been collectible, ever since W. Elliot Woodward first described one in an 1864 auction catalog, not long after they were made.From the Bill Woytasek Collection.