1912 1C, RB PR66RB 认证号04634606, PCGS号3313

This is a special coin. The legendary Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr., in his renowned collection, possessed only six Matte Lincoln Cents. The present PR66 was authenticated by PCGS as a genuine Eliasberg specimen and a finest MPL for the year 1912, with none higher. The PCGS green label holder has been perfectly preserved, but needed a good buffing to remove the 'smoky' appearance. It turns out that the coin itself, while hard to photograph, has strong golden obverse toning and plently of eye appeal. The reverse displays swirls of strong blues, reds, ambers and magentas. The surfaces are heavily matted, and the coin is diagnostically strong, as recognized by the classical texts, and further, are extraordinarily clean. And though the coin was graded by PCGS roughly 10 years ago, the grade appears quite accurate, and this coin is adjudged by Brian Wagner to be a middle to high-end PR66. While an upgrade would not surprise me in theory, in fact the green label, with “Eliasberg” prominently displayed, makes the upgrade point unthinkable to this collector, as separating this museum piece from the holder would diminish the considerable charm of this gem. Even a CAC sticker on the label would likely diminish the authentic ‘feel’ of this historical coin. The Bowers and Merena (1996) auction catalog by David Bowers states that the coin is “One of the finest seen.” Pedigree (Research progressing): John M. Clapp (Acquired 1912 directly from Philadelphia Mint); Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. (Acquired 1942 from Estate of J.M. Clapp); Timothy Liston (Liston I Collection, acquired 2002 in Superior Sale (Lot 77) (Formerly in Louis E. Eliasberg Sr. Collection and sold as Lot 676 in 1996 at the famous Bowers and Merena sale in New York City).