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

Lot Number: 2014

Shortcut to Lot: HA.com/1389*2014

1793 1C S-12 R6 Liberty Cap VF35 PCGS. Glossy dark chocolate brown and steel with lighter brown and tan in some protected areas, particularly on the reverse. The surfaces are smooth except for a trace of microscopic roughness at the bottom of the cap and another small patch at the border beads left of the neck. No verdigris, just a few contact marks including a small, dull rim nick under the 7 and a rim bruise right of the fraction. Nicely struck and well centered on the planchet with strong border beads around both sides. EDS, Breen state I, with just a hint of bulging in the center of the reverse. The E in CENT is slightly weak due to the incipient bulge but everything else is strong. Graded VF35 net VF25 and tied for CC#2 honors behind the ANS example in the Noyes census, his photo #20424. Bland says VF20 and tied for CC#2. This cataloger's EAC grade is VF20+, close to VF25. A great example of this rare 1793 Liberty Cap variety, and it comes with a superb provenance. The attribution and COL Ellsworth Collection provenance are noted on the PCGS Gold Shield label (35486.35/13457489). The reverse of the holder is scuffed.
Ex Virgil M. Brand 1934-Armin W. Brand 2/7/1941-B. G. Johnson (St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.) 8/1945 ($170)-James Kelly-Hollinbeck Kagin Coin Co.-James Kelly as World Numismatics (1961 ANA Convention Sale), 8/19/1961:1407 ($2400)-Federal Brand Enterprises 10/15/1961:1480-Hollinbeck Kagin Coin Co. 6/29/1963:344-Stack's 5/4/1979:45 ($11,500)-R. E. "Ted" Naftzger, Jr., 2/23/1992-Eric J. Streiner-Chris McCawley-Dr. Robert J. Shalowitz-Chris McCawley 9/1994-Chris Kromer, Superior held in association with McCawley & Grellman Auctions 2/18/2001:2115 ($69,000)-Walter J. Husak, Heritage Auctions 2/15/2008:2013 ($92,000)-COL Steven K. Ellsworth.

The August 1961 A.N.A. Convention Sale at the Hotel Biltmore, Atlanta, conducted by James Kelly of World Numismatiques, presented a wide-ranging offering of coins, currency, and medals with strong representation of Confederate, Southern States, and Texas material. The opening sessions highlighted rare Confederate notes, beginning with the coveted Montgomery issues of 1861, including the famous $1000 note and other low-issue pieces. Further selections covered a wealth of Richmond and Columbia issues, unlisted varieties, major error notes, and bonds, followed by an impressive section of Texas currency spanning the Provisional Government through the Republic and State Treasury warrants. These offerings established the sale as particularly significant for collectors of Southern and early American fiscal history.
Beyond paper money, the catalog expanded into U.S. federal coinage and an array of specialties. Collectors found complete runs of Flying Eagle, Indian Head, and Lincoln cents, scarce Buffalo nickels including the 1937-D three-legged variety, and an extensive selection of "so-called dollars" tied to expositions and commemorative events. Colonial coins and tokens also figured prominently, with St. Patrick's pieces, Wood's halfpence, Fugios, Washington issues, Hard Times and Civil War tokens, and a substantial group of Masonic and political medals. Canadian coinage and tokens appeared in depth, alongside foreign material and commemoratives, reflecting Kelly's aim to appeal to both specialized and general collectors. Overall, the sale combined rarity, variety, and historical depth, securing its place as a memorable A.N.A. convention auction.

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