A very original Gem Uncirculated example of the first Small U. S. Cent struck in Bronze. This also shows the wide variation in color possible on early Bronze Cents, as at first glance this appears to be Copper Nickel based upon the overall color of the Obverse. The Reverse shows a centered blue-green toned area, sure sign that this spent quite some time in a coin folder, or possibly an even older “coin board”, such as were used in the 1930’s prior to Whitman coming out with their folder line. This is also an example of Snow-11, the so-called “lathe lines” variety. There are a series of raised thin parallel lines on Liberty’s face, caused by transfer from the die blank when the die was produced. Rick Snow has supposed that the most likely cause was a very roughly lathed blank, probably not polished or ground prior to hubbing, and the lines were basically pushed down into the center recess of the die. This is a little later die state, with the lines a bit less obvious, but they can best be seen at the bottom of Liberty’s jaw and beneath her ear.

PCGS 2077.65/38906178