1820 Matron Head Cent. N-13. Rarity-1. Large Date. MS-65 BN (NGC). Enticing cobalt blue undertones to dominant steely-copper patina, both sides also retain traces of faded mint red color in the protected areas around and among some of the design elements. Sharply struck and well centered with a smooth and inviting satin texture. The 1820 Newcomb-13 is one of the most available varieties of large cent from the famous Randall Hoard. This hoard, which contained thousands of large copper cents mostly dated from 1817 through 1820, was rumored to have been found beneath a railroad platform in Georgia some time after the Civil War, but before 1869. Supposedly hidden in a small keg (or multiple kegs), the hoard was named for John Swan Randall of Norwich, New York, who purchased the coins after they had changed hands several times since their discovery. After Randalls death in 1878, the coins that remained were offered at auction by Edward D. Cogan. The most readily obtainable variety from the Randall Hoard is the 1818 N-10, followed by the 1820 N-13 (offered here). Over the years, even as late as the 1970s, it was not unheard of to find groups of Randall Hoard cents offered by coin dealers. However, as the 20th century came to a close, examples were usually found as individual pieces. PCGS# 1615. NGC ID: 2256.
