An MS65-graded 1793 chain cent led Stack's Bowers third instalment of the sale of the D Brent Pogue collection.
The lot is known as the Garrett-Naftzger Sheldon-3, in reference to its previous owners, and is the finest known chain cent in existence - prized for its exceptional level of detail.
 The 1793 chain cent displays an exceptional level of detail |
The auction house comments: "The finest known example from these dies and a candidate for the finest Chain cent of any variety, the Garrett-Pogue Sheldon-3 has been cherished by collectors since it was discovered in France by Pierre-Édouard LeGras, a famous Parisian numismatist who died in 1881.
"Since that time, this coin has been in several collections of legendary stature and quality."
The record for a 1793 chain cent is $2.3m, set at Heritage Auctions last year.
A gem state 1794 Cohen half cent realised $940,000.
The lot is one of two uncirculated specimens of this rare issue.
Stack's Bowers says: "This legendary coin, discovered less than 40 years ago, is widely acclaimed as the single finest half cent of its era.
"No other Liberty Cap half cent of any date, not even the much more common 1795 and 1797 issues, has survived looking as much like it did at the moment it was struck."
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