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

Lot Number: 2013

Shortcut to Lot: HA.com/1389*2013

1793 1C S-11c R3- Wreath Cent, Lettered Edge, One Leaf Following DOLLAR, MS62 Brown PCGS. Choice glossy light to medium chocolate brown with frosty lighter brown in the fields and protected areas. The surfaces are smooth and this cent has outstanding eye appeal. Although PCGS did assign a mint state grade to this cent, and the eye appeal is consistent with that assessment, we do detect light friction on the highpoints of the devices. The only notable defects on this cent are a small planchet chip near the beads under the denominator and a couple smaller chips under the second T in STATES (all as struck). The edge lettering ONE HUNDRED FOR A DOLLAR with a single leaf following DOLLAR is strong. MDS, Breen state II, with strong die clashmarks at the neck. Graded EF45 Choice and CC#5 in the Noyes census, his photo #39552. This is the only high-grade example classified as "Choice" by Noyes. This cataloger's EAC grade is EF45+, close to AU50. A superior example of the Lettered Edge type of 1793 Wreath cent. The attribution is noted on the PCGS label (35477.62/48968741).
Ex John E. Burton, W. Elliot Woodward 10/26/1881:109 ($19.50)-Colin E. King, S. H. & H. Chapman 4/5/1892:1000 ($61)-George H. Earle, Jr., Henry Chapman 6/29/1912:3366 ($52)-"Henry"-S. H. Chapman 3/16/1917:434 ($47)-unknown-Dr. William H. Sheldon-American Numismatic Society (ANS) Collection 2001-R. E. "Ted" Naftzger, Jr.-private collector-Heritage Auctions 8/14/2024:4081 ($58,800)-COL Steven K. Ellsworth. (The cent offered here resided for more than 30 years in the ANS Museum collection before it was transferred to Ted Naftzger in 2001 in exchange for the slightly finer example then in Ted's collection. Ted acquired the superior piece from Dr. William H. Sheldon on 4/19/1972 when he purchased Dr. Sheldon's collection of early date cents. It was determined a couple decades later that the coin sold to Ted was obtained improperly by Dr. Sheldon from the ANS, and following lengthy legal wrangling a swap was arranged transferring the piece offered here from the ANS to Ted in exchange for the higher grade coin which now resides in the ANS Collection. The coin now comes with a clear, unencumbered title.)

The October 26-28, 1881 W. Elliot Woodward sale of the John E. Burton Collection was a landmark in American numismatics, offering one of the most comprehensive assemblages of U.S. and world coins, medals, ancient pieces, and related materials of its era. The catalog reflected both depth and diversity, ranging from early American copper-including notable 1793 and 1794 large cents, many plated and tied to celebrated pedigrees-to rare colonial issues, pattern coins, and U.S. silver and gold of exceptional quality. Burton's holdings also included European rarities, Greek and Oriental coins, and a rich assortment of medals, fractional currency, and numismatic literature, making the sale attractive to both American specialists and collectors with broader international tastes.

Among the most remarkable sections were the early U.S. cents and silver, highlighted by high-grade and rare varieties seldom encountered at public auction, many illustrated in the plates provided with the catalog. Standout offerings included choice 1793 Chain and Wreath cents, superb 1794 and 1795 silver dollars, and extraordinary early half dollars, some ranked among the finest known at the time. Burton's dedication to quality and completeness ensured the sale's enduring reputation, and Woodward's catalog, printed with heliotype plates, remains a reference point for students of early U.S. coinage and nineteenth century collecting history.

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