Auction Name: 2026 January 8 US Coins Signature Auction - FUN Special Sessions: Ellsworth & Jacobson

Lot Number: 2011

Shortcut to Lot: HA.com/1389*2011

1793 1C S-11a R4+ Wreath Cent, Vine & Bars Edge, Small LIBERTY, XF40 PCGS. CAC Approved. Lightly cleaned and retoned glossy reddish steel brown and chocolate. Hints of mint frost show in protected areas. The details are sharp and the eye appeal of this cent is quite nice. The surfaces are smooth except for a hint of microscopic roughness at ES in STATES and in the field around the ribbon loop. No verdigris, just a few inconspicuous marks. The notable marks are a few minor rim bruises that have been lightly smoothed and are essentially invisible in the holder, a small planchet chip in the field behind the portrait, and a nick on the middle leaf in the sprig over the date. EDS, Breen state I, before any die clashmarks. Graded VF30 net VF20 and tied for CC#13 in the Noyes census, his photo #27974. Bland says VF35 net VF25 and tied for CC#10. This cataloger's EAC grade is net VF30+. This is the first of many that have the CAC "green bean." Large cents minted prior to 1797 with a CAC designation are true numismatic treasure and very scarce. This collection has more CAC designated coins than any other of this series. The attribution and COL Ellsworth Collection provenance are noted on the PCGS Gold Shield label (35465.40/43987691). The reverse of the holder is scuffed.
Ex Superior 1/29/1989:3088 ($6875)-J. R. Frankenfield, Superior held in association with McCawley & Grellman Auctions 2/17/2001:200 ($13,225)-COL Steven K. Ellsworth.

The Superior Galleries Pre-Long Beach Sale of February 17, 2001, held in association with McCawley & Grellman Auctions, was anchored by the legendary J.R. Frankenfield Collection of American half cents and large cents, a cabinet long recognized among specialists for both rarity and quality. Frankenfield's large cents included extraordinary early highlights, such as the 1793 Liberty Cap S-15, VG8, ranked as the third finest known, and an array of 1794s through 1799 capped by a 1799/8 S-188, VF25. Later rarities included the 1799 S-189, VF20, and among the proofs, the spectacular 1834 N-7 bronzed proof, PR45. Even among later dates, impressive pieces abounded, such as the 1846 N-22 PR63 and the 1849 N-18 PR60+, each realizing five-figure sums. These sales confirmed the Frankenfield Collection's standing as one of the finest ever assembled in the die-variety tradition of early American copper.

The half cents carried similar weight, beginning with scarce Liberty Caps of the 1790s and extending through proof-only issues of the 1830s-1850s, all chosen with Frankenfield's exacting eye for rarity and preservation. In total, the collection brought over $5.7 million, with coppers setting record or near-record prices across multiple dates and die marriages. Superior emphasized the catalog as both a market event and a reference work, presenting detailed attributions, pedigrees, and census commentary that cemented its place in early copper scholarship. The Frankenfield sale is remembered not only for dispersing great rarities but also for reinforcing the collector's legacy as a connoisseur who sought completeness, die variety coverage, and top-quality pieces across both half cents and large cents.

Include Thumbnail(s)