1817 Matron Head Cent. N-3. Rarity-2. 13 Stars. MS-64 BN (PCGS). CAC.

1817 Matron Head Cent. N-3. Rarity-2. 13 Stars. MS-64 BN (PCGS). CAC.，This Choice 1817 N-3 cent is glossy deep steel and dark brown in color, with faint overtones of pale greenish-blue over much of the surface. It is highly lustrous and nicely struck from dies that are in an early state, but not prior to their clashing. Artifacts of the clashing can be seen at the letters RTY in LIBERTY, and beneath the hair bun on the obverse, as well as at the letter N in CENT on the reverse. The clash marks slightly distort the diagonal of the N. The eye appeal is even better than the grade suggests, but a thin scratch is noted near the border outside stars 5 to 7. The denticles are nicely defined, and about as sharp as ever seen on this die pairing, as they soften and fade with use. A note in the Noyes reference comments on a die crack through the base of the digits 817 in the date reported by John Wright, but not observed by Noyes. However, it is clearly present on this coin and actually connects all four digits. It is not visible in the Noyes reference photograph of this coin, but it can be found with good light and low magnification. While not included in the top six in Noyes Condition Census for the variety, it is ranked as the fifth finest known among the early die state coins. Noyes Die State A/A.，From the Q. David Bowers Collection. Earlier ex George Bauer, 1951; David W. Akers sale of the John Jay Pittman Collection, Part I, October 1997, lot 193; Superiors sale of June 1998, lot 153; Jay Miller; Tom Reynolds Fixed Price List #94, January 2000; our sale of the Twin Leaf Collection of United States Large Cents, Part I, July 2015, lot 2015. Collector envelopes, tags and Superior lot tag included.，