1845 Braided Hair Half Cent. Second Restrike. B-3. Rarity-6. Small Berries (Reverse of 1840). Proof-66 BN (NGC). CAC. 77.3 grains. An old fiend of our firm which we first handled in our (Stacks) 1989 sale of the legendary James A. Stack Collection, where it was lauded for "flashes of sea green and mint color." Over three decades later, it remains one of the most outstanding survivors of this issue. Violet and pinkish color dominate the complexion while the aforementioned "flashes" are brought to life under direct lighting. Incredibly sharp throughout and overall satiny, with subtle reflectivity dancing across the fields. Just a single example ranks finer at NGC, and none are listed CAC in higher grades across any service or designation.<p>Of the approximately two dozen extant Restrike 1845 half cents, this piece is among the very finest known. Hairlines and carbon spots limit most examples to grades of Proof-64 and lower, leaving Gem survivors like this Proof-66 specimen highly elusive. For both collectors of early American copper and half cent specialists, the significance of the present offering is irrefutable. Ex our (Stacks) sale of the James A. Stack, Sr. Collection, November 1989, lot 82; Jon Hanson; Donald G. Partrick; Heritages sale of the Donald G. Partrick Collection, April 2021 CSNS Signature Auction, lot 3752. Partrick envelope included.
