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Sale 54
Pre-Long Beach Coin and Currency Auction
| The Dan Holmes Collection - 1793-1795 |
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| Lot |
Photo |
Description |
Realized |
Lot 1 |
 |
1793 S-1 R4 Chain AMERI. PCGS graded AU-58. Beautiful glossy chocolate brown with bluish steel overtones in the fields and peeps of original mint red in protected areas on both sides. The fields are smooth and prooflike with all the fine details needle-sharp thanks to the very early die state. Just a hint of very light friction on the highest points of the hair from mint state. This cent offers outstanding eye appeal and the color is about the most attractive you will ever encounter on a 1793 Chain Cent. There are a few minor contact marks, including a thin diagonal nick on the 3 plus two smaller ones above the 3, plus a dull horizontal nick-like mark on the cheek just left of the mouth, as struck, and a pair of faint parallel diagonal hairline scratches on the forehead. The reverse is nearly pristine, the only notable defect being a small planchet chip below the O in OF, and this chip contains traces of dark planchet impurity in its bottom, as struck. EDS, Breen state I, before the small bulge forms under the 1 in the date. A sharp, very attractive cent, and the eye appeal is enhanced by the reflective fields and traces of original mint color. Graded AU50 by Noyes and Bland, and tied for CC#3 in both census lists (Noyes photo #28733). Removed from an NGC slab graded MS62 Brown (NGC label included). Our grade is AU55. A beautiful example of this American numismatic classic. PCGS Population 1; 1 in 61 at PCGS for the variety. A total of 2 pieces graded at PCGS. DWH #2413.
Estimated Value $100,000-UP.
Ex Europe-Sotheby Parke Bernet #3695, 11/1974:59-Mike Brownlee-Kenneth Goldman-Julian Leidman and Stanley Kesselman-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., 12/11/86-Herman Halpern, Stack's 3/16/88:1-Tony Terranova-Bowers & Merena FPLs 1988 & 1989-Kenneth Goldman and Tony Terranova-Martin Paul (The Rarities Group)-Heritage 10/90:452-Martin Haber (South Miami Rare Coins)-Tony Terranova-Dr. Haig Koshkarian, American Numismatic Rarities (ANR) 3/9/2004:7 (via Tony Terranova) 4/04.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$368,000 |
Lot 2 |
 |
1793 S-1 R4 Chain AMERI. Basal State-1. Nice glossy chocolate brown. The planchet is smooth, completely free of roughness or stains. A script "G" is neatly engraved into the center of the obverse and there are a few small, shallow planchet chips on the reverse. LIBER is still visible, the portrait is faint but nearly complete, and using some imagination you can see hints of the tops of the 93. At least half the chain is visible and STATES is clear, which is fortunate since that's where a strong cud break connects TAT to the rim, Breen's rare terminal state VI. Decent eye appeal for a Basal State Chain Cent, and the cud break makes this cent very special, indeed. DWH #2248.
Estimated Value $3,000-UP.
Ex Northern Illinois Coin Co. 6/81-John D. Wright, 2003 EAC Sale, McCawley & Grellman Auctions 4/26/03:284.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$6,325 |
Lot 3 |
 |
1793 S-2 R4+ Chain AMERICA. PCGS graded MS-63 Brown. Noyes Plate Coin. Frosty medium brown with darker steel brown toning on the highpoints. The surfaces are lustrous and show only a trace of very light friction on the highest points. The only marks are a thin nick-like planchet void in the field under the chin, a tiny nick on the bottom of the 7 in the date, and microscopic roughness caused by tiny planchet flakes in the field off the bust tip. Late die state, Breen state II, with clear die clashmarks on the obverse and slightly wavy fields on that side. Called AU55 and tied for CC#2 in the Bland and Noyes census lists, Noyes photo #20047. Our grade is AU55. This is the plate coin for the variety in the Noyes book, and this cent was plated on the front and back covers of the catalog of the Floyd T. Starr collection, Stack’s 6/13/84. Outstanding luster and eye appeal, very close to mint state. PCGS Population 1; The only example graded at PCGS for the variety. DWH #2690.
Estimated Value $150,000-UP.
Ex H. W. Taffs-Glendining & Co., Ltd (London) #10, 11/1956:506-Spink & Son, Ltd. (London)-New Netherlands Coin Co. #50, 12/7/57:880-Floyd T. Starr, Stack’s 6/13/84:2-Herman Halpern 12/11/86-R. E. Naftzger, Jr. 2/23/92-Eric Streiner-Jay Parrino (The Mint) 4/16/96-Jack Wadlington (via Bob Grellman & Chris McCawley) 6/30/05.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$402,500 |
Lot 4 |
 |
1793 NC-1 R8 Chain AMERICA with Widest LIBERTY. Basal State-1+. The obverse is nicer, perhaps Fair-2, with most of LIBERTY, half the date, and nearly all the portrait visible. The reverse is weaker with the chain weak but visible and only portions of the legend inside the chain faintly visible. The legend outside the chain is worn smooth. Glossy chocolate and steel brown. The only notable mark is a round punch on the 7 in the date. Otherwise the planchet and surfaces are smooth, clearly above average for the grade. The widely spaced LIBERTY and position of the 1 close to the hair are sufficiently clear to easily identify this as the semi-unique NC-1 variety. Since the other example is in the ANS collection, this piece is the only one available to collectors. Noyes graded Basal State-1, his photo #28429. DWH #1767.
Estimated Value $10,000-UP.
Ex Eugene Exman 1967-Dorothy Paschal-Denis Loring 5/74-Dr. Robert J. Shalowitz-John W. Adams-Kagin's 1/75:475-John W. Adams 6/22/77-R. S. Brown, Jr., Superior 9/30/86:3-R. S. Brown, Jr., Superior 1/27/96:3.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$28,750 |
Lot 5 |
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1793 S-3 R3- Chain AMERICA. PCGS graded MS-63 Brown. Levick Plate Coin. Lustrous uniform chocolate brown. A very attractive Chain Cent with choice surfaces and a flawless planchet. Satiny mint frost covers the protected areas on the reverse. There is a touch of friction on the highest points of the portrait while the reverse is virtually pristine and offers choice mint state eye appeal. The only marks are a tiny rim bruise under the 7 in the date and a dull pinprick low on the neck. Late die state, Breen state III, with strong die clashmarks on the obverse and subtle die bulges on the reverse. Called EF45 and tied for CC#6 in the Bland census. Noyes says AU55 net EF45 and tied for CC#6, but he does not list a photo of the coin and may not have seen it other than in a plated auction catalog. Our grade is AU50+, close to AU55. The obverse of this cent was pictured on the Crosby-Levick Plate of 1793 Cents published in the April 1869 issue of the American Journal of Numismatics. PCGS Population 5; 1 in 64 Brown; 1 in 65 Brown; 1 in 67 Brown. DWH #3532.
Estimated Value $150,000-UP.
Ex Colin Lightbody, Edward Cogan 12/1866:536-Mortimer Livingston Mackenzie, Edward Cogan 6/1869:624 (the first plated American auction catalog, a very significant milestone as it set a new standard that allowed collectors to better trace the pedigree of significant pieces such as this cent)-L. Bayard Smith-unknown-Arthur L. Gray-Ted & Arthur Brandts (Celina Coin Co.)-T. James Clarke 10/54-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., Abe Kosoff 4/56:4-Stack’s-Dorothy Nelson, Stack’s 2/76:3-Ed Hipps, Steve Ivy Numismatic Auctions 11/78:7-Robert E. Bender-1988 ANA Sale, Heritage 8/88:3-Tony Terranova-Kevin Lipton-Stack’s-unknown-American Numismatic Rarities 7/25/2003:105-Stack’s 7/27/08:1074-Steve Contursi (Rare Coin Wholesalers) 1/2009 (via Chris McCawley).
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$253,000 |
Lot 6 |
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1793 S-4 R3+ Chain AMERICA with Periods. PCGS graded AU-50. Glossy medium to dark chocolate brown. The surfaces are smooth, free of any hint of corrosion or planchet flaws. Just a few very light contact marks, including a small pinprick in the hair over the 1 in the date, a couple parallel lines of very light, thin nicks slanting down on either side of the ear, a couple tiny nicks under the second A in AMERICA, and a trio of microscopic pinpricks over the first S in STATES. Nicely struck with outstanding eye appeal for the grade. LDS, Breen state III, showing strong die cracks at the rim and curls left of the date. Called EF45 net VF30 and tied for CC#12 in the Noyes census, his photo #36426. Our grade is VF35. Removed from an NGC slab graded AU50BN (NGC label included, and the attribution is noted on the label). NGC Population 2; One finer in MS-67 BN at NGC for the variety. PCGS population 1; None finer at PCGS for the variety. DWH #2691.
Estimated Value $50,000-UP.
Ex an old Philadelphia collection-Harry Laibstain Rare Coin Co.-National Gold Co.-Tom Reynolds 5/7/97-Jack Wadlington (via Bob Grellman and Chris McCawley) 6/30/05.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$80,500 |
Lot 7 |
 |
1793 NC-2 R8+ (Unique) Strawberry Leaf Wreath Cent with ONE CENT Centered. PCGS graded Fair-2. Fairly glossy chocolate and steel brown. The planchet is mostly smooth but does show extremely fine porosity in the fields. The notable marks are a small rim bump at Y, a shallow planchet chip on the rim over the L, a couple fine hairline scratches in the hair under LIB, and a shallow planchet chip at the wreath under AT in STATES. The 17 in the date is mostly clear, but the 93 is faint. The sprig of 3 "strawberry" leaves over the date is visible but not strong. (The type of leaf intended by the engraver is subject to debate, but most references refer to them as strawberry.) LIBERTY is complete and most of the reverse legend is easily readable. The decent surfaces and amount of detail remaining could justify a slightly higher grade, but the grade assigned really doesn't matter much for a unique variety. Called Fair-2 by Noyes and Bland, Noyes photo #20470. Our grade is Fair-2+. Of course this is the plate coin for the variety in all the usual references (the photo in the Breen book does not do the coin justice). Weight 200.7 grains. PCGS Population 1; The only one graded at PCGS for the variety. DWH #1757.
Estimated Value $150,000-UP.
Ex John Meader (taken out of circulation in 1845 and sold prior to 12/21/1868)-Richard B. Winsor-S. H. & H. Chapman 12/1895:823-Sylvester S. Crosby 4/1896-Dr. Thomas Hall 9/7/09-Virgil M Brand 2/7/41-B. G. Johnson (St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.) 9/12/41-James Kelly 1941-Charles M. Williams-Numismatic Gallery #68, 11/50:6-Floyd T. Starr, Stack's 6/13/84:6-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., 2/23/92-Eric Streiner-Jay Parrino (The Mint) 10/7/95-Tony Terranova 10/16/95.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$264,500 |
Lot 8 |
 |
1793 NC-3 R8- Strawberry Leaf Wreath Cent with ONE CENT High. PCGS graded Good-4. Sharpness F12 but covered with moderate corrosion, strongest on the obverse. No verdigris. The notable marks are a tiny rim bruise over BE in LIBERTY, a hairline scratch across the top of the head, and a light rim bruise at the first S in STATES. The date is readable, although some of the digits are distorted by corrosion, and the legends are complete. The strawberry leaves over the date are easily visible, but they also show some distortion from the corrosion. Fairly glossy dark olive brown with lighter steel brown highpoints, the contrast accenting the details. There is a barely visible planchet clip affecting the rim just left of the date, as struck. This is the Noyes plate coin. Called net G4 and tied for CC#2 in the Noyes census, his photo #28555. Bland lists it as net AG3 and tied for CC#2. Our grade is Good-4. One of only 3 known, and the finest is a finely granular VG7 that sold for $862,500 as lot #51 in the 1/5/2009 Stack's auction in Orlando, Florida. Weight 207.4 grains. PCGS Population 1; One finer at PCGS graded VG-10; Only 2 graded at PCGS for the variety. DWH #1758.
Estimated Value $150,000-UP.
Ex William Rabin (discovered in Philadelphia and offered on page 736 of the 9/1941 issue of The Numismatist for $2500)-James Kelly 5/49:1044-Floyd T. Starr, Stack's 6/13/84:7-I. Tatnall Starr 6/12/89-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., 2/23/92-Eric Streiner-Jay Parrino (The Mint) 10/7/95-Tony Terranova 10/16/95.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$218,500 |
Lot 9 |
 |
1793 S-5 R4 Wreath Cent with Large Date and LIBERTY. PCGS graded MS-65 Brown. Choice glossy medium steel brown with smooth, prooflike fields on both sides and traces of bluish steel overtone in the fields and protected areas. No spots or stains, and the only contact mark is a very light and barely visible dull diagonal hairline scratch on the cheek under the eye. The best identifying marks are a tiny planchet chip on the rim opposite the chin and a microscopic chip in the field midway between the center of the neck and the dentils at the right, both as struck. None of these defects is visible without a strong glass and the eye appeal of this cent is outstanding. The reverse is gem. Sharply struck EDS, Breen state I. The dentils over LIBERTY do not show any trace of crumbling and the fields are reflective. Called MS65 and second finest in the Noyes census. Bland says MS61 and tied for second finest. Our grade is MS63 prooflike. Removed from an NGC slab graded SPECIMEN-65 BN (NGC label included, and the label shows the S-5 attribution and their assessment that this is a Specimen strike). The reverse is plated in The United States Coinage of 1793 by Sylvester S. Crosby (1897). DWH #2482.
Estimated Value $150,000-UP.
Ex W. F. Johnson 6/1892-Dr. Thomas Hall-W. S. Sisson, Henry Chapman 4/1916:988-Wayte Raymond (The United States Coin Co.)-Henry C. Hines 1945-Dr. William H. Sheldon 4/19/72-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., New Netherlands Coin Co. 11/1973:326-Stack's-unknown-Stack's 10/90:1591-Tony Terranova-Stack's-Larry Stack-Stack's/American Numismatic Rarities auction 6/26/04:4028 (unsold)-Stack's (privately, via Chris McCawley) 7/8/04.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$264,500 |
Lot 10 |
 |
1793 S-6 R3 Wreath Cent. VF-35 Plus. Glossy light olive brown and chocolate. The surfaces are smooth and choice, virtually flawless. A solid EF40 cent if not for two small, dull rim nicks at K-9 on the obverse. Great eye appeal, very close to EF40. A premium Wreath Cent. E-MDS, Breen state II, with an obvious horizontal wave in the field behind the portrait, trademark of this so-called "Sprung Die" variety. Removed from a PCGS slab graded AU50 (PCGS label included). DWH #3448.
Estimated Value $10,000-UP.
Ex Stack’s 1/15/08:8021 (via Chris McCawley).
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$26,450 |
Lot 11 |
 |
1793 S-7 R6- Wreath Cent with Double Dot over I in LIBERTY. Fine-12. Sharpness VF25 with microscopic porosity on the obverse confined mostly to the fields on the upper half of the planchet and in the hair under LIB. The reverse fields are covered with a uniform very fine granularity. No verdigris. The marks are minor and include a few tiny planchet voids at the top of the obverse, a light rim bruise under the right side of the fraction, and a small rim nick at F in OF. Somewhat glossy medium brown and light olive with a small spot of reddish brown toning at the top of O in ONE. The eye appeal is better than the description might imply. EDS, Breen state I, with the famous "Double Dot" over the I in LIBERTY and only a hint of swelling at 179. Breen decided the extra dot became filled very early and only shows on the earliest examples struck. I suspect the extra dot was an engraving error that was quickly discovered and the die neatly repaired by filling the dot punchmark without additional repair work to the die. The removal of the dot is just too perfect to support the accidental clog theory, and nothing else was affected. Clogs aren't that efficient and seldom target only an engraver's error. Regardless, the extra dot is very strong, fully as bold as the border beads above, which it matches perfectly. Called net F12 and tied for CC#6 in the Bland census. Noyes says net VG10 and tied for CC#5, his photo #25539. Unique with the double dot, no other examples known or reported in any grade. DWH #0002.
Estimated Value $20,000-UP.
Ex Christian M. Petersen-Hollinbeck Coin Co #174, 2/54:389-Dr. Charles L. Ruby 12/72-Superior 2/11/74:323-Gus Portman, Superior 2/76:338-Superior (privately)-Regal Coin Exchange-Jack H. Beymer 9/24/90.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$41,400 |
Lot 12 |
 |
1793 S-7 R6- Wreath Cent with Normal Single Dot over I in LIBERTY. Fine-15. Choice glossy uniform chocolate brown. The only contact marks are a very light rim bruise just right of the Y in LIBERTY and a slightly stronger one under the right side of the fraction. Would rate a higher grade but there are shallow parallel planchet fissures on the obverse slanting slightly down to the right of horizontal, as struck. The most noticeable of these fissures is in the field off the chin. The planchet fissures were produced during the planchet rolling process and are a rather common problem for our earliest cents. The reverse is smooth and choice. MDS, Breen state III early, with a slight bulge through the 179 in the date. Clearly a later die state than the "Double Dot" version above and a great mate for comparison purposes to study the double-dot enigma. Called VF20 net F12 and CC#4 in the Noyes census, his photo #27972. Bland says F15 and tied for CC#3. DWH #2692.
Estimated Value $10,000-UP.
Ex J & R Coin Dealers #12, 5/1948:1-Christian M. Petersen-Hollinbeck Coin Co. 5/56:6-Herbert M. Oechsner, Stack’s 9/8/88:33-J. R. Frankenfield, McCawley & Grellman Auctions/Superior 2/17/01:195-Jack Wadlington (via Bob Grellman & Chris McCawley) 6/30/05.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$37,950 |
Lot 13 |
 |
1793 S-8 R3 Wreath Cent. VF-25 Plus. Choice glossy medium brown and chocolate. Smooth, virtually flawless surfaces. Outstanding eye appeal for the grade, close to VF30. A barely visible rim bruise right of the bust tip and a very tiny rim nick at the D in UNITED are the best identifying marks, and they are trivial. MDS, Breen state III early. The bisecting reverse die crack is clear and the spidery die cracks at IBE in LIBERTY are visible under magnification. DWH #3033.
Estimated Value $7,500-UP.
Ex Ralph Brown-Dorothy Paschal-Del Bland 5/78-John D. Wright 1/18/06-Bob Grellman & Chris McCawley 4/3/06.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$20,700 |
Lot 14 |
 |
1793 S-9 R2 Wreath Cent. PCGS graded VF-25. Glossy chocolate and dark steel brown. The surfaces are smooth and offer excellent eye appeal. The only notable distraction is a bit of lighter coppery toning on the edge at LIBE extending slightly to the left plus similar toning on the edge over UNITED and OF on the reverse. The date and legends are complete and clear. LDS, Breen state VIII, with strong die cracks and swelling at RICA. Our grade is F15. PCGS Population 1; 1 in VF35; 1 in EF45; 1 in AU50 at PCGS for the variety. DWH #3526.
Estimated Value $7,500-UP.
Ex Chris McCawley 1/10/09.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$12,075 |
Lot 15 |
 |
1793 NC-4 R7+ Wreath Cent. Good-6. Choice glossy medium brown with darker chocolate brown toning in protected areas of the reverse. The obverse fields appear perfectly smooth to the unaided eye, but extremely fine porosity is visible under strong magnification. Otherwise the planchet and surfaces are excellent, especially for the grade. The only notable marks are a small planchet chip low on the neck, as struck, a few light nicks at the rim left of the middle curls, and a thin planchet lamination running across the bottom of the reverse from the U in UNITED to the second A in AMERICA, as struck. The date is clear, although the bottom of the 3 is a bit weak, and the legends are strong except for ONE CENT, which is blunted by the usual swelling in the center of the reverse. Excellent eye appeal for the grade. Called G6 and tied for CC#3 in the Noyes census, his photo #20182. Bland says G5 and CC#3. Only five examples are known, and the two slightly finer pieces have serious problems. DWH #0004.
Estimated Value $10,000-UP.
Ex Ebenezer Gilbert-Thomas L. Elder #7, 10/1906:339-Virgil M. Brand 2/7/41-B. G. Johnson (St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.)-Charles M. Williams-Numismatic Gallery #68, 11/50:11-Floyd T. Starr, Stack's 6/13/84:17-Jack Robinson, Superior 1/29/89:11.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$27,600 |
Lot 16 |
 |
1793 S-10 R4 Wreath Cent. VF-30. Very attractive glossy steel brown and chocolate. The surfaces are smooth, completely free of corrosion or planchet flaws. The only defects are some very light contact marks scattered about the obverse, including a tiny nick on the jawline, a thin nick hidden in the hair under IB in LIBERTY, and a very small rim nick over that I. EDS, Breen state I. The die flaw at the border beads right of the nose tip is obvious, but the beading is complete. The always-present thin rim cud break over UNITE is clear. Excellent eye appeal for the grade, very close to choice. DWH #2693.
Estimated Value $10,000-UP.
Ex Dick Punchard, Bowers & Merena 6/22/2000:48-Jack Wadlington (via Bob Grellman & Chris McCawley) 6/30/05.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$26,450 |
Lot 17 |
 |
1793 NC-5 Wreath Cent Token in Gold. A copy of the Dan Holmes Collection 1793 NC-5 token. This toekn is modeled on the 1793 NC-5 Wreath Cent owned by the American Numismatic Society, but given bailment to Dan Holmes to present a complete collection of Early Date Large Cent varieties for public view.
This token is one of only tem made in 22kt gold. 200 were made in silver and 300 in pure copper.
All proceeds from the sale of this lot will be presented to ANS along with our appreciation.
Estimated Value $1,000-UP.
View details and enlarged photos
| Unsold |
Lot 18 |
 |
1793 S-11a R4+ Wreath Cent with Vine & Bars Edge. PCGS graded AU-53. Lightly cleaned and expertly retoned glossy light chocolate brown. The retoning appears to be so natural that PCGS saw it as original color, hence the lofty grade they assigned. There are a few faint hairlines under the toning in the field left of the hair and a tiny spot of darker toning in that same area, but the eye appeal of the obverse is excellent. The reverse has a few very fine planchet flaws around the wreath ribbon, as so often seen on the planchets used for the three variants of Sheldon-11, plus a light rim bruise under the right side of the fraction. EDS, Breen state I, before any die clashmarks. Called VF30 and tied for CC#8 in the Noyes census, his photo #59257. Our grade is VF30 as well. PCGS Population 1; The only one graded at PCGS for the variety. DWH #3470.
Estimated Value $20,000-UP.
Ex Tom Reynolds 12/2002-Walter Husak, Heritage 2/15/08:2010.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$27,600 |
Lot 19 |
 |
1793 S-11b R4 Wreath Cent with Lettered Edge and Double Leaf. PCGS graded AU-53. Frosty medium brown faintly mottled with darker steel brown and chocolate. Lustrous lighter brown toning faded down from mint color shows through in protected areas. The central part of each side is softly impressed, which is characteristic of the late die state, but the remainder of the designs are nicely struck. The softly struck centers show tiny planchet chips that didn’t completely strike out, but the fields outside the centers are choice. Very little actual wear is evident and the eye appeal is excellent overall, perhaps choice on the obverse. The only notable marks are a small planchet delamination at the dentils below the right side of the fraction and a faint, very thin disjointed planchet crease from the right edge of the second S in STATES down to the second A in AMERICA. LDS, Breen state IV. The heavy die clashmarks found earlier have been lapped off the die. Our grade is EF40, tied for CC#3. PCGS Population 1; The finest graded at PCGS for the variety. DWH #3441.
Estimated Value $20,000-UP.
A new discovery from England found by Bill Yates at a local coin show in the Dallas area 8/07-Ed Hipps-Chris McCawley 1/08.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$40,250 |
Lot 20 |
 |
1793 S-11c R3- Wreath Cent with Lettered Edge and Single Leaf. VF-35. Ten points sharper but there is a mint-made void in the planchet at the top of the E in AMERICA plus smaller planchet chips in the field behind the top of the head, at the lower curls, and at EN in CENT, all as struck. Otherwise the planchet and surfaces are smooth and offer outstanding eye appeal. Lightly cleaned and nicely retoned glossy dark chocolate brown with medium chocolate brown highpoints. Sharply struck MDS, Breen state II, showing light die clashmarks on either side of the portrait. The edge lettering is bold and the single leaf following DOLLAR is strong. An important example of the lettered edge version of the Wreath Cent, near the lower end of the expanded condition census. Noyes graded EF40 net VF30, his photo #36868. DWH #3502.
Estimated Value $10,000-UP.
Ex Bowers & Merena 9/97:234-McCawley & Grellman Auctions/Goldberg’s 2/10/08:1015-Chris McCawley 3/17/08.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$17,250 |
Lot 21 |
 |
1793 S-6 "Smith Counterfeit" Fine-12. Fine-12. Glossy chocolate brown. The host coin was a normal S-6 with smooth surfaces worn down to a grade of Fair-2 or About Good-3 before the obverse was very skillfully engraved into another 1793 Wreath Cent design. The engraving was done with remarkable skill and it is easy to imagine a collector being fooled into believing this cent was struck at the mint using a previously unknown obverse die mated with the reverse die used to produce S-5, 6, 7 and NC-5. The "new" obverse grades Fine-12 and offers excellent eye appeal. A strong nick on the border left of the L in LIBERTY and a mint-made planchet fissure slanting through the bust tip are the only significant defects. DWH #3518.
Estimated Value $1,000-UP.
Ex F. C. C. Boyd (with his envelope)-Jon Hanson 12/1973-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., McCawley & Grellman Auctions/Goldberg’s 9/14/08:208.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$3,335 |
Lot 22 |
 |
1793 S-12 R6- Liberty Cap. VF-20 Plus. Breen Plate Coin. Glossy chocolate brown with underlying medium brown toning on the obverse. Possibly lightly cleaned long ago, but the toning is very attractive and looks natural. The planchet is smooth and the surfaces nearly flawless. The only notable marks are two tiny pinpricks in the field under LI, another over the bust tip, a tiny nick under IC in AMERICA, and a very light rim bruise over that first A. Nicely centered and well struck. LDS, Breen state III, with strong swelling at CE in CENT. (This is the Breen plate coin for the late die state.) Called VF25 and tied for CC#2 with one other example in the Noyes census, his photo #20190. Bland says VF20 and tied for CC#2 with the same piece. (The finest is in the ANS collection, so you can’t get a better one.) A beautiful example of this very rare variety, and it comes with an impressive pedigree. DWH #0007.
Estimated Value $50,000-UP.
Ex John Work Garrett-Johns Hopkins University (privately) 3/73-John W. Adams 3/7/73-Denis W. Loring 3/73-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., 1990 EAC Sale, 5/12/90, lot 17.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$112,125 |
Lot 23 |
 |
1793 S-13 R4- Liberty Cap. Fine-15. Sharpness VF30 but the surfaces are slightly rough. The roughness is mostly hidden under a glossy patina of dark chocolate brown and olive with lighter chocolate brown on the devices. No verdigris, and the only marks of any significance are a few minor planchet fissures, as struck. A shallow fissure extends from the top of the cap across to the dentils above the end of the pole while another parallel one shows in the hair left of the eye. On the reverse there is a single very thin fissure reaching from the rim at T in UNITED to the rim just left of the first A in AMERICA. This fissure is exactly parallel to the obverse fissures so they all follow the same stress lines in the rolled copper. A tiny rim nick over the second S in STATES and a barely visible rim bruise just left of the fraction are the only contact marks on this otherwise attractive if slightly imperfect Liberty Cap cent. EDS, Breen state I, before any swelling at NT in CENT. Well struck and nicely centerd on the planchet with strong, full border beads on both sides. DWH #3567.
Estimated Value $20,000-UP.
Ex Tony Terranova & Chris McCawley 6/24/09.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$17,825 |
Lot 24 |
 |
1793 S-14 R5- Liberty Cap with Bisected Obverse. PCGS graded AU-53. Noyes Plate Coin. Glossy light bluish steel brown and chocolate with lots of frosty light brown toning in protected areas, especially on the obverse. There are a couple faint hints of very faded mint color remaining on the reverse. The only notable defects are a small spot of reddish corrosion on the base of the left end of the bust above the 17 and extremely faint horizontal hairlines that cover the lower half of the obverse, plus a thin, light nick under the R in AMERICA. Otherwise the planchet and surfaces are smooth and the fields are slightly reflective giving this cent excellent eye appeal. LDS, Breen state III, with a slight but clear wave in the die at NT in CENT. Called EF45 and CC#1 in the Noyes and Bland census lists, Noyes photo #20097. Our grade is EF45. This is the plate coin for the variety in the Noyes book. PCGS Population 1; The finest graded at PCGS for the variety. WH #2695.
Estimated Value $100,000-UP.
Ex England-unknown (possibly Dr. William H. Sheldon)-Q. David Bowers-Lester Merkin-Charles Jay, Stack’s 10/27/67:91 (as "Uncirculated")-unknown-Tony Terranova-Herman Halpern 12/11/86-R. E. Naftzger, Jr. 2/23/92-Eric Streiner-Jay Parrino (The Mint) 5/96-Jack Wadlington (via Bob Grellman & Chris McCawley) 6/30/05.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$506,000 |
Lot 25 |
 |
1793 NC-6 R8 Liberty Cap. Good-4 Plus. Glossy chocolate brown. The obverse is sharper, at least G5, while the reverse is slightly weaker. The planchet is reasonably smooth but there are numerous tiny nicks scattered about both sides, strongest in the field before the face and at the second T in STATES. The date and LIBERTY are strong. The reverse legends are complete and readable except for ONE CENT, which is weak due to a soft strike in that area caused by obverse die swelling at the hair under the cap. Second finest of only 2 known. Called net G4 in both census lists, but this is a really nice '93 Cap for that grade, even with the nicks. Noyes photo #21282. DWH #0006.
Estimated Value $20,000-UP.
Ex William Hatchet-Marvin Sheer (Normar Coins) 5/16/85 (unattributed)-John & James Bergman-Superior 9/30/85:224-Jack Robinson, Superior 1/29/89:18.
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| Realized
$40,250 |
Lot 26 |
 |
1793 S-15 R7- Liberty Cap. VG-7. Sharpness F12 with fine hairline scratches on the obverse, mostly on the portrait, and a few light rim bruises on both sides, strongest one under the bust tip. There is a small planchet lamination through the bottom half of the 3 and a dozen small planchet voids on the reverse slanting from the upper left down to the lower right, strongest at the ribbon. The obverse is glossy medium chocolate brown with darker olive brown toning in protected areas, the contrast accenting the details. The reverse is mostly glossy reddish chocolate brown with dark olive covering the protected areas on the lower right. This darker area contains some very light crud or verdigris. The date is strong (although the bottom half of the 3 is distorted slightly by the lamination), and the legends are strong, except for ONE CENT, which is weakened by the usual swelling in the center of the reverse. Later die state, the crack down through Y and reverse swelling both strong. Called net VG7 and tied for CC#4 in the Bland census. Noyes says net G6 and sixth finest known, his photo #20341. DWH #0009.
Estimated Value $25,000-UP.
Ex W. B. Guy-Henry Chapman 11/1911:350-Dr. George P. French 3/21/29-B. Max Mehl FPL 1929, lot 17-Floyd T. Starr, Stack's 6/13/84:23-Jack Robinson, Superior 1/29/89:20.
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| Realized
$52,900 |
Lot 27 |
 |
1793 S-16 R6+ Liberty Cap. VG-7. Choice glossy chocolate and steel brown. The surfaces are smooth and the planchet nearly flawless, especially for the grade. The only notable marks are a few shallow nicks grouped under the R in LIBERTY, a short hairline scratch in the field left of the cap, a pinprick over the 7 in the date, and a small planchet chip at the rim over the first A in AMERICA. The date is clear and legends complete. LDS with the crack down through Y clear and swelling at the N in CENT. The reverse is rotated 165 degrees CCW from the normal head-to-foot orientation. Called VG7 by Bland and listed as tied for CC#6 in his census. Noyes says G6 and also tied for CC#6, his photo #20388. DWH #0010.
Estimated Value $10,000-UP.
Ex Dr. Charles L. Ruby 12/72-Superior 2/11/74:335-Philip Van Cleave, Kagin's 1/30/86:5018-Jack Robinson, Superior 1/29/89:21-Dr. Robert J. Shalowitz 9/15/89.
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| Realized
$33,350 |
Lot 28 |
 |
1794 S-17a R5- Head of 1793 with Edge of 1793. VF-30. Sharpness EF45 with a moderately strong old scratch from the top of N in ONE to the rim at S-O. This scratch is perfectly blended into the natural patina and is the only significant defect. Other less significant marks include small pinpricks on both sides, strongest in the field under the chin and at the dentils right of the fraction. There are some very light rim bruises at the top of the cap and L and another right of the fraction. Glossy medium brown and chocolate with tiny delicate splashes of darker olive toning sprinkled about both sides, mostly on the reverse. The planchet is completely free of corrosion or flaws, and the fields are hard and slightly reflective in the reverse fields. MDS, Breen state II late, with a clear die crack from the end of the pole down to the rim. A sharp, attractive example of this tough die variety, one of only a half dozen known grading better than Fine-12. Tied for CC#3 in both the Bland and Noyes census lists as net VF30, Noyes photo #20191. (The finest is in the ANS Collection.) DWH #0011.
Estimated Value $20,000-UP.
Ex George H. Clapp (purchased 5/1925)-unknown-Jess Peters 2/27/73-Del Bland 2/28/73-Dr. Dane B. Nielsen 8/80-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., 1989 EAC Sale, lot 19.
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| Realized
$40,250 |
Lot 29 |
 |
1794 NC-4 (S-17b) R8 Head of 1793 with Edge Device of 1794. About Good-3 Plus. Discovery Coin. Sharpness VG7 with moderate pitting, strongest in the left obverse field. No verdigris. There is a very tiny rim bruise at the Y in LIBERTY and many small rim nicks around the reverse, none notable, plus three shallow rim cuts under the fraction. Rather glossy chocolate brown, the surfaces rather attractive in spite of the roughness. The date is bold and legends all readable, although a few places are a bit weak. The edge lettering is complete and bold, including the leaf following DOLLAR with its stem and tip pointing up (the style of 1794). This is the discovery coin for the sub-variety and the plate coin in the Noyes and Breen books. Called VG7 net G4 and CC#1 of only 2 known in the Noyes census, his photo #20378. Bland says VG7 net AG3 and finest of the 2 examples known as well. DWH #1768.
Estimated Value $10,000-UP.
Ex John K. Borcky, Thomas L. Elder 6/1935:352-Walter Garrabrant, Stack's 11/1949:361-C. Douglas Smith (who identified this as a new sub-variety) 9/15/52-Dr. William H. Sheldon 4/19/72-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., 2/23/92-Eric Streiner 8/13/92-R. S. Brown, Jr., Superior 1/27/96:23.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$26,450 |
Lot 30 |
 |
1794 S-18a R6+ Head of 1793 with Edge of 1793. VF-25. Discovery Coin. Five points sharper with a small rim bruise at RT and a fine hairline scratch across the upper reverse from the rim at D-S to the first A in AMERICA, plus a few other trivial signs of light contact on both sides. Lightly cleaned long ago, now nicely retoned a glossy medium steel brown and chocolate. The planchet is excellent, completely free of roughness or flaws. E-MDS, Breen state II. Die lapping has weakened the right leaf below T in CENT. Second finest behind the ANS example, which has a severe planchet flaw. Called VF30 net VF20 and CC#2 in the Noyes census, his photo #20426. Bland says VF25 and CC#2. The next best is only net F12 in both census lists. This is the discovery coin for the variety and the plate coin used in the Noyes book. Comes with a nice provenance, as you would expect with such an important cent. DWH #1749.
Estimated Value $20,000-UP.
Ex David Proskey-Henry C. Hines-Dr. William H. Sheldon 4/19/72-R. E. Naftzger, Jr. 2/23/92-Eric Streiner-1994 EAC Sale, lot 162-Tom Reynolds 4/29/94.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$89,125 |
Lot 31 |
 |
1794 S-18b R4 Head of 1793 with Edge of 1794. PCGS graded MS-63. Lustrous light steel brown with frosty golden tan faded down from original mint color in protected areas. There is a small spot of reddish olive toning on the ear and smaller spots of olive toning at the chin, in the field before the forehead, and at the left top of M in AMERICA. Would rate a slightly higher grade except for a fine hairline scratch across the top of the reverse from the leaves over O in ONE to the dentils over the left side of M. The fields are hard and lustrous, and the eye appeal is outstanding. MDS, Breen state III. The right leaf below T in CENT is fragmented due to die lapping and faint die clashmarks are visible behind the portrait. Graded net MS60 by Noyes and Bland, Noyes photo #20333. Noyes has this example tied for CC#2; Bland says CC#3. Our grade is MS60 as well. One of only 3 mint state examples of the 1794 with Head of 1793 cent type, regardless of die variety (all are Sheldon-18b), and one of those is in the ANS museum. A beautiful and very important cent. PCGS Population 2; Tied for the Finest graded at PCGS for the variety. DWH #0013.
Estimated Value $100,000-UP.
Ex M. P. Lyons-S. H. & H. Chapman 4/1903:1236-George H. Earle, Jr.-Henry Chapman 6/1912:3370-S. H. Chapman-J. P. Hale Jenkins-Henry Chapman 7/1922:1474-Henry C. Hines-Carl Wurtzbach-Charles Wheeler-1976 ANA Sale, Stack's 8/24/76:347-Dr. Edward R. Bush 9/79-R. E. Naftzger, Jr.-1990 EAC Sale, lot 20.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$155,250 |
Lot 32 |
 |
1794 S-19a R5+ Head of 1793 with Edge of 1793. VF-30 Plus. Discovery Coin. Sharpness near EF40 with two extremely fine hairline scratches in the right obverse field and a few others on the shoulder, all invisible to the unaided eye. In addition, there is a patch of extremely fine roughness on the neck and another in the field opposite the mouth and neck. This roughness, like the hairline scratches, is invisible without a good glass. Nice glossy tan mottled with darker steel brown. EDS, Breen state I, with a minor bulge in the field below the cap. An attractive cent for the grade, especially for a Head of '93. This is the discovery coin for the variety. Listed as VF30 and finest known by both Noyes and Bland, Noyes photo #21801. This is the Noyes plate coin for the variety and the obverse was illustrated in the Tom Morley grading guide for 1794 cents. DWH #1754.
Estimated Value $20,000-UP.
Ex Harlan P. Smith-S. H. & H. Chapman 5/1906:1071-S. H. & H. Chapman-Henry C. Hines 1944-Dr. William H. Sheldon 4/19/72-R. E. Naftzger, Jr. 2/23/92-Eric Streiner-George E. Ewing, Jr. 12/22/94.
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| Realized
$48,300 |
Lot 33 |
 |
1794 S-19b R4 Head of 1793 with Edge of 1794. VF-35. Slightly sharper with traces of extremely fine porosity in the field at LIBERTY and a half dozen very tiny ticks around the eye and nose, none at all distracting. Glossy dark steel and chocolate brown. MDS with the usual minor swelling and die roughness in the field under the cap. Called VF35 and tied for CC#4 in the Bland census. Noyes says EF45 net VF30 and tied for CC#4, his photo #25105. One of the slightly finer examples is impounded in the ANS Museum. The reverse was illustrated in the 1923 monograph on 1794 cents published by S. H. Chapman. The reverse was incorrectly illustrated over lot #7 in the Bowers FPL of the John Adams collection in 1982. DWH #0016.
Estimated Value $15,000-UP.
Ex H. Rogers-S. K. Harzfeld #16, 1/1881:203-unknown-Ed. Frossard #25, 11/1882:153-Ed. Frossard Collection-Ed. Frossard #37, 10/1884:851-T. Harrison Garrett-Johns Hopkins University, privately 3/73-John W. Adams-Bowers & Ruddy FPL 1982:6-Bowers & Ruddy RCR #46, 12/82-Bowers & Merena RCR #48, 6/83-Denis Loring 4/85-Del Bland 5/13/86-Herman Halpern, Stack's 3/16/88:21-Tony Terranova 1/30/89.
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| Realized
$33,350 |
Lot 34 |
 |
1794 NC-7 (S-20a) R8+ (Unique) Head of 1793. Inverted Edge Device of 1794 over Device of 1793. Good-4. Sharpness VG10 or slightly better but dark and covered with fine porosity, strongest on the lower portion of the reverse. No verdigris. The only notable contact mark is a short, fine hairline scratch on the upper part of the neck. Dark olive and steel, the surfaces mostly matte from the fine roughness. The date and legends are clear, except for the fraction and UNIT, which are faint due to the roughness. The edge was initially lettered using the device of 1793 (point and stem of leaf following DOLLAR pointing down). This 1793 edge device reads with the reverse side up. Then the edge device of 1794 was added (inverted reading with the obverse up) overprinting the initial lettering. The edge devices are positioned so the leaves following DOLLAR are very close, nearly one on top of the other. The second (1794) edge device is the stronger of the two, but both are readable. A unique sub-variety. This is the plate coin (of necessity, of course, wherever the sub-variety is illustrated) in Noyes and Breen. Called F12 net G4 in Bland. Noyes says VG8 net G4, his photo #21580. DWH #1769.
Estimated Value $10,000-UP.
Ex Robert Bashlow (who discovered it unattributed in New York City in 1961)-Dr. William H. Sheldon 4/19/72-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., 2/23/92-Eric Streiner 11/19/92-R. S. Brown Jr., Superior 1/27/96:28.
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| Realized
$25,300 |
Lot 35 |
 |
1794 S-20b R4+ Head of 1793 with Edge of 1794. VF-25. Five points sharper with a dull nick in the center of the cap, some light contact marks on the neck, and a couple small pinpricks at O in ONE and N in CENT. Rather glossy dark olive and chocolate brown. Called VF25 net F15 and tied for CC#8 in the Noyes census, his photo #25104. Yet another outstanding example of the 1794 with Head of 1793 type. DWH #0017.
Estimated Value $15,000-UP.
Ex England-Stephen C. Fenton (Knightsbridge Coins, London)-Doug Bird 6/13/89.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$19,550 |
Lot 36 |
 |
1794 S-21 R3. PCGS graded MS-62 Brown. Clipped Planchet. Sharpness closer to mint state and choice except for a small spot of very fine roughness in the field well above the end of the pole. Otherwise this cent is virtually flawless with only very light friction on the highest points of the design. Lustrous reddish steel brown and chocolate. Outstanding eye appeal in spite of the small spot. LDS, Breen state V, with a fine die crack from the rim to the second curl from the bottom in addition to the earlier die cracks at LIB. A small planchet clip affects the dentils at the bust tip and the opposing ones at F-A, as struck. Called AU50 and tied for CC#6 in the Bland census. Noyes says AU50 net EF45 and tied for CC#5, his photo #35888. Our grade is AU50+. PCGS Population 1; One finer in MS64 at PCGS for the variety. DWH #2696.
Estimated Value $20,000-UP.
Ex Byron Reed Collection, Spink America (Christie’s) 10/8/96:16 (as "choice to gem mint state")-Jack Wadlington (via Bob Grellman & Chris McCawley) 6/30/05.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$19,550 |
Lot 37 |
 |
1794 S-22 R1. PCGS graded MS-63 Brown. Lustrous dark steel brown and chocolate with underlying frosty lighter brown faded down from mint color showing through in protected areas. No defects other than a few of the usual microscopic planchet flakes scattered about both sides, strongest at the O in OF but even those are not visible to the unaided eye. Great eye appeal, just a touch of rub on the highest points from mint state. Scarce EDS, Breen state I, before the usually seen "mounds" formed on the reverse as a result of die sinking during use. Called AU55 and tied for CC#1 honors in the Breen/Bland census. Noyes says AU55 and tied for CC#1 as well, his photo #20379. Our grade is AU55. PCGS Population 1; The Finest graded at PCGS for the variety. DWH #3471.
Estimated Value $30,000-UP.
Ex B. Max Mehl 4/26:359-Frank Hussey, New Netherlands Coin Co. 4/60:1341-C. Douglas Smith 1965-Alfred Bonard, Numismatic Enterprises 2/68:25-R. E. Naftzger, Jr. 2/92-Eric Streiner 4/92-Dr. Allen Bennett 1/98-Walter Husak, Heritage 2/15/08:2024.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$31,050 |
Lot 38 |
 |
1794 S-23 R4+. PCGS graded MS-64 Brown. Noyes Plate Coin. Lustrous olive and steel brown mixed with lighter frosty chocolate and reddish brown. A small spot of darker olive brown toning just left of the base of the 1 in the date is the best identifying mark on this beautiful cent. A faint, jagged planchet lamination visible only with the aid of a strong glass meanders from the right side of the B in LIBERTY down into the hair left of the forehead with another equally faint lamination meandering from the leaves under the second A in AMERICA down to the dentils just right of the fraction. Otherwise the surfaces are satiny and the eye appeal is excellent. LDS, Breen state V, with all the die cracks clear, including the final crack from the rim through the right top of the Y to the nose. The die state is not terminal, however, as the cracks are known stronger than they are on this example, and there is no hint of a bulge at NT in CENT. Called AU55 by both Noyes (photo #21756) and Bland and tied for finest known honors with one other example that’s permanently impounded in the ANS Museum. The next best grades only VF30 or VF35 depending on the census list used, so this is the finest available to collectors by a wide margin. Our grade is AU58. (A previous owner of this cent was Walter Husak, and it was one of his favorite large cents. He made commemorative t-shirts picturing this cent for distribution to family and friends several years prior to selling his collection in 2008. This cataloger and Dan Holmes both were honored to receive one of those special souvenir shirts from Walter.) PCGS Population 1; The only one graded at PCGS for the variety. DWH #3498.
Estimated Value $50,000-UP.
Discovered in England in 1957-Stack’s 1957-C. Douglas Smith 6/58-Dorothy Paschal-Dr. William H. Sheldon 4/72-R. E. Naftzger, Jr. 2/92-Eric Streiner 4/92-Dr. Allen Bennett 2001-Walter Husak, Heritage 2/15/08:2025-Chris McCawley 3/17/08.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$106,375 |
Lot 39 |
 |
1794 S-24 R1. EF-40. Five points sharper with a dull pinscratch down the cap not reaching the bottom of the cap, plus a very small rim bruise over the O in OF. Very attractive frosty steel brown and chocolate, the reverse toning a bit mottled with light olive tones. M-LDS, Breen state V. Both sides show fine but clearly visible roughness from fine die erosion and the central reverse is bulged outward slightly. DWH #3034.
Estimated Value $2,000-UP.
Ex Chris McCawley 9/94-John D. Wright 1/18/06-Bob Grellman & Chris McCawley 4/3/06.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$6,900 |
Lot 40 |
 |
121794 NC-8 R8-. Fine-12. Breen Plate Coin. Sharpness VF20 with minute granularity hidden under a rather glossy dark olive and steel brown patina. The highpoints are a lighter shade of steel brown. Traces of very light verdigris can be found tucked into some of the protected areas. The only marks are a few light hairline scratches nicely blended into natural toning in the field before the forehead and nose. Noyes lists this example as VF20 net F12 and tied for finest of 3 known, his photo #25052. Bland says net F12 and CC#2 in a census of 15-12-7. This is the Breen plate coin for the variety. DWH #0025.
Estimated Value $20,000-UP.
Ex Jack Borckardt 8/17/87 for $11,500. This purchase comes with an interesting story that may be lost if not recorded here. The coin was purchased unattributed for $400 at a North Carolina coin show in July 1987 by Jack Borckardt. The $400 price was gray sheet bid for a Fine-12 at that time. Jack attempted to attribute the coin but he was having trouble finding it in Penny Whimsy (because, of course, it was not listed there). Jack then handed the cent off to his son, Mark, who likewise was unable to find it in the attribution guide. Mark suggested it may be one of the new "not-in-Sheldon" varieties, to which his dad replied "We are not that lucky." Mark drove home from the coin shop to retrieve his notes, and while driving back to the shop he read the description for NC-8 and nearly lost control of the car (driving while attributing may be a crime). Mark sold the coin to Dan Holmes in August of 1987. And so goes "the rest of the story."
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$27,600 |
Lot 41 |
 |
1794 NC-11 R8. VG-8. Discovery Coin. Sharpness VF20 with a rim dent at ER in LIBERTY and fine granularity covering the surfaces, strongest in the fields. There are some light, old scratches hidden in the patina on the cap and in the obverse fields and a couple very light rim bruises opposite the face. Mostly a slightly glossy dark steel and olive brown, but there is an arc of chocolate brown toning on the upper left portion of the obverse. The date is clear and legends strong. This is the plate coin in the Breen and Noyes books, and it is the discovery coin for the variety. Bland says VF20 net VG8 and finest known in his census. Noyes says F15 net G6 and CC#2, his photo #33998. The net 8 grade appears reasonable to me, and this piece was judged the superior example in a side-by-side comparison of the top two coins. Four examples are known to us, and our census is 8-7-3-2. All four pieces have imperfect surfaces, and the bottom 2 are damaged. DWH #1770.
Estimated Value $20,000-UP.
Ex Harry Leifer (circa 1950) 1991-Bret Leifer (son) 3/20/95-(via James H. Young, who attributed this cent as a new variety and connected the owner to an eager buyer)-R. S. Brown, Jr., Superior 1/27/96:37.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$26,450 |
Lot 42 |
 |
1794 S-25 R3. AU-50. Double Profile. Frosty light olive brown with attractive bluish steel overtones in protected areas. Reported to have been lightly cleaned long ago, but the toning is quite natural and very attractive today. No spots or contact marks, and only a very light touch of rub on the highest points from mint state. Flawless except for an uneven strike resulting from axially misaligned dies. The softly struck areas are at the dentils from K-1 to K-3 on the obverse and the opposing area at ICA clockwise to UN, but the legends in these areas are still clearly visible. These softly struck areas also show some of the small pre-striking planchet imperfections that usually disappear when the planchet is impressed by the dies. The remaining areas are well struck and the overall eye appeal of this cent is excellent. E-MDS, Breen state II, with single die clashmarks on both sides and no die cracks. There is a thin but clear double profile from the top of the forehead down to the tip of the nose with additional doubling on the lips, bust, and date (caused by die bounce). Called AU50 and CC#3 in the Bland census. Noyes says AU50 net EF40 and tied for CC#3, his photo #31911. DWH #2697.
Estimated Value $10,000-UP.
Ex Dr. George P. French, B. Max Mehl 1929 FPL, lot 45-T. James Clarke 1944-B. Max Mehl 4/47-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., New Netherlands Coin Co. 11/73:347-Gordon J. Wrubel-Del Bland-R. J. Coulter-Robert L. Hughes-Julian Leidman-Charles L. Wiggins-McLaughlin & Robinson Auctions #4392, 9/89:211Charles L. Wiggins-Superior 5/31/92:432-Chris McCawley-Walter Husak, McCawley & Grellman Auctions/Superior 9/21/98:1107-Jack Wadlington (via Bob Grellman & Chris McCawley) 6/30/05.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$25,300 |
Lot 43 |
 |
1794 S-26 R2. EF-40. Sharper by at least 5 points but there are three shallow, dull digs at the second A in AMERICA, traces of extremely fine roughness in the right obverse field, and microscopic traces of verdigris in the hair at the upper edge of the cap. Otherwise the planchet and surfaces are excellent. Glossy olive and steel brown with reddish brown toning in protected areas of the obverse and underlying frosty mint luster, especially on the reverse. The right obverse field, however, is slightly matte due to the microscopic roughness. E-MDS, Breen state IV, with a small but clear die chip resting on the top of the I in AMERICA but without the die crack through the first S in STATES. Bland calls this example AU55 net EF45 and tied for CC#10 while Noyes says AU50 net VF35 and tied for CC#13, his photo #25054. Sharply struck with excellent eye appeal in spite of the minor defects. DWH #0027.
Estimated Value $4,000-UP.
Ex Thomas L. Elder #82, 7/1913:574-Frank Hussey-New Netherlands Coin Co. #54, 4/1960:1344-R. E. Naftzger, Jr.-Abe Kosoff 10/1961:29-R. E. Naftzger, Jr.-New England Rare Coin Galleries FPL Vol. 4, 2/1975-Dorothy Paschal 11/1977-R. S. Brown, Jr., Superior 9/30/86:36-Julian Leidman-Herman Halpern, Stack's 3/16/88:33-David Bloom-Ed Kucia (Libertas Americana Galleries) 4/14/89.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$6,613 |
Lot 44 |
 |
1794 S-26 R2. AU-50 Plus. Frosty bluish steel brown and chocolate. The surfaces are choice with satiny mint luster covering the fields and protected areas. No spots or rough areas, and the only marks are trivial. These include a small planchet chip between the R & T in LIBERTY, an even smaller one over the 7 in the date, and another affecting the top of the second S in STATES, all as struck. A couple tiny nicks in the field near the bottom of the cap are the only signs of contact. M-LDS, Breen state VI. The reverse die cracks and clashmarks are strong, including the die crack down through the first S in STATES. Called AU50 in both census lists, tied for CC#6 in the Noyes list and tied for CC#7 in the Bland arrangement, Noyes photo #34519. A choice cent with an impressive provenance. DWH #2698.
Estimated Value $15,000-UP.
Ex Dr. George P. French, B. Max Mehl 1929 FPL, lot 44-T. James Clarke 1944-B. Max Mehl-Dr. William H. Sheldon 1945-Ernest Henderson, Sheraton Coin Co.-1947 ANA Sale, Numismatic Gallery, lot 797-Harold E. Whiteneck (Sheraton Coin Co.)-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., Abe Kosoff 4/56:17-Mrs R. Henry Norweb, Bowers & Merena 11/14/88:2703-Hanks & Associates-Kenneth Alterman-Hanks & Associates-Tony Terranova & Chris McCawley-McCawley & Grellman Auctions 8/17/96:79-Jack Wadlington (via Bob Grellman & Chris McCawley) 6/30/05.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$21,275 |
Lot 45 |
 |
1794 S-26 R2. VF-20 Plus. Sharpness near VF30 but there are several light rim bruises, including one under the 17 and another slightly stronger one at the second A in AMERICA. There are a few faint hairline scratches on the obverse as well, but these are visible only with the aid of a glass. The obverse is glossy medium brown with steel brown toning on the highpoints and frosty lighter brown toning in protected areas. The reverse is glossy chocolate brown. LDS, Breen state VII. The reverse die cracks are strong and swelling is weakening CE in CENT, although both letters are still clearly visible. DWH #3035.
Estimated Value $800-UP.
Ex Redman Coin Shop (Odessa Texas) 12/63-John D. Wright 1/18/06-Bob Grellman & Chris McCawley 4/3/06.
View details and enlarged photos
| Realized
$2,645 |
Lot 46 |
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1794 S-27 R5. VF-35. Ten points sharper but there are a couple shallow planchet voids or pitmarks in the field before the face, and these areas were lightly abraded with fine pinscratches in a relatively crude attempt to smooth those surfaces. In addition, there are a few tiny, very light pinscratches on the nose and earlobe, plus some microscopic roughness in the field under the chin. The remainder of the planchet is smooth and nearly choice, free of all but a few minor marks, the only notable one a light rim bruise at the O in OF. Glossy medium brown and chocolate with slightly darker steel toning on some of the obverse highpoints and traces of frosty lighter brown toning in protected areas of the reverse. LDS, Breen state IV. The bisecting obverse die crack is clear. Called EF45 net VF35 and tied for CC#3 in the Bland census. Noyes says EF45 net VF30 and also tied for CC#3, his photo #39041. The obverse and reverse are plated in Frossard-Hays, Elder-Gilbert, and Chapman. The obverse is plated in the Morley book on 1794 cents. Comes with a long, very interesting provenance. DWH #2699.
Estimated Value $15,000-UP.
Ex Dr. Edward Maris-W. W. Hays 1900-Charles Steigerwalt 1906-Charles G. Zug-Lyman Low 3/1907:25-Ebenezer Gilbert, Thomas L. Elder sale #44, 10/19/1910:25-H. O. Granberg-William H. Woodin-The United States Coin Co. 5/1915:107-Henry C. Hines 1944-Homer K. Downing 1948-Dr. William H. Sheldon-(At this point, Dr Sheldon obtained the ANS Museum’s example of the variety in exchange for this coin in an apparently undocumented transaction. Dr. Sheldon subsequently sold the coin deaccessioned from the ANS along with many other early date large cents to R. E. Naftzger, Jr., on 4/19/1972. Then, some 20 years after Dr. Sheldon’s death, ANS officials, spurred on by a report prepared by researcher Del Bland, claimed the exchange of coins between Dr. Sheldon and the ANS was improper and demanded the unwinding of that undocumented transaction. After several years sparring in the courts, Mr. Naftzger gave the Sheldon-27 and the other disputed cents he had purchased from Dr. Sheldon in 1972 to the ANS. The ANS, in turn on 1/26/2001, gave Mr. Naftzger this Sheldon-27 and some other coins the ANS had received from Dr. Sheldon in the aforementioned undocumented transaction. This is how the somewhat curious provenance of "Dr. Sheldon to ANS Museum to R. E. Naftzger, Jr." was established.) The provenance chain then extends from R. E. Naftzger, Jr.-Chris McCawley 2/22/02-Jack Wadlington (via Bob Grellman & Chris McCawley) 6/30/05.
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| Realized
$27,600 |
Lot 47 |
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1794 S-28 R2+. PCGS graded MS-63 Brown. Frosty steel brown and chocolate with darker olive and reddish chocolate splashes on the obverse. The surfaces are satiny and mint luster covers the fields and protected areas on both sides, especially on the reverse. There is a hint of microscopic roughness at the cap where it touches the hair and a few of the usual tiny planchet chips that didn't completely strike out around the bust tip and at OF on the reverse. Otherwise the planchet and surfaces are flawless. The only sign of contact is a shallow mark (possibly pre-striking) in the center of the cheek. Sharply struck M-LDS, Breen state VI, with a faint die crack from the tip of the nose to the rim at right. Just a hint of rub on the highest points of the design from mint state. Called AU55 and tied for CC#5 in the Bland census. Noyes photo #34976. Our grade is AU-55. The PCGS label is included, and it shows the Hesselgesser provenance. PCGS Population 2; Perhaps the same coin. DWH #3258.
Estimated Value $15,000-UP.
Ex Superior 1/89:3093-2004 ANA Sale, Heritage 8/18/04:5092-Dr. Robert Hesselgesser, McCawley & Grellman Auctions/Goldberg’s 2/11/07:261.
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| Realized
$21,850 |
Lot 48 |
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1794 S-29 R2+. PCGS graded MS-63 Brown. Elder-Gilbert Plate Coin. Choice frosty medium brown with steel brown toning on the highpoints and hints of very faded mint red in a few protected areas on the reverse. The only contact marks are a barely visible rim bruise at the B in LIBERTY, a tiny rim nick at TY, and a short, very faint hairline in the field off the chin. Just a touch of very light friction on the highest points from mint state. Sharply struck everywhere except at NIT, which displays some tiny planchet chips that didn't completely strike out due to the weak impression at that spot. EDS, Breen state I, without the die crack through the R in AMERICA. Plated in Elder-Gilbert (Thomas L. Elder 10/12/1910:24). Listed by Noyes as AU55 and tied for CC#3, his photo #21757. Bland says AU50 and tied for CC#6. Our grade is AU55. A beautiful cent with choice eye appeal and an outstanding provenance. PCGS Population 1; One finer in MS65 at PCGS for the variety. DWH #0030.
Estimated Value $15,000-UP.
Ex Ebenezer Gilbert, Thomas L. Elder #44, 10/12/1910:24-H. O. Granberg-William H. Woodin-The United States Coin Co. 5/1915:106-unknown-Joseph Kuehnert-Bowers & Ruddy RCR #32, 1979-Herman Halpern, Stack's 3/16/88:39-R. E. Naftzger, Jr.-1989 EAC Sale, 4/15/89:25.
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| Realized
$34,500 |
Lot 49 |
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1794 S-30 R1. VF-35 Plus. Five points sharper with a light rim bruise opposite the forehead and a smaller one under the 7 in the date. The planchet has smooth, choice surfaces except for a few tiny planchet chips, as struck, at OF due to the relatively weak strike in that area, plus a small greenish pitmark on the right foot of M in AMERICA and another in the dentils over that C. Choice glossy medium brown and chocolate with darker steel brown toning on the highpoints. M-LDS, Breen state III. The die crack through the R in AMERICA is stronger and multiple die clashmarks show on both sides. Outstanding eye appeal in spite of the minor defects. Called AU50 net VF35 by Noyes and VF35 by Bland, Noyes photo #29905. DWH #1760.
Estimated Value $2,000-UP.
Ex Gordon Wrubel 1/85-Tom Morley, Superior 5/31/92:436-Tom Morley 6/9/92.
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| Realized
$6,900 |
Lot 50 |
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1794 S-31 R1. PCGS graded MS-64. Highly lustrous steel brown and chocolate with satiny, virtually flawless surfaces. The only marks, and they are trivial, are a tiny spot of lighter toning high on the cheekbone near the hair and a faint diagonal hairline under ENT in CENT. The sharp details and unbroken mint luster give this cent outstanding eye appeal. MDS, Breen state II. The die chips in the field left of the lower curls are prominent. Called MS65 choice and tied for CC#1 honors in the Noyes census, his photo #22632. Bland says MS60 and tied for CC#4. Our grade is MS-62. PCGS Population 1; The Finest graded at PCGS for the variety. DWH #3472.
Estimated Value $40,000-UP.
Ex Philip H. Ward, Jr., Stack’s 4/64:799-Frank H. Masters, Jr., RARCOA 5/71:57-Jerry A. Bobbe-RARCOA-Bruce Todd-RARCOA-Allen Harriman-Auction ’83 (Superior), lot 1522-Allen Harriman-Gary Ruttenberg-Dr. Allen Bennett 1/20/98-Walter Husak, Heritage 2/15/08:2033.
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| Realized
$69,000 |
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