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

Lot Number: 2017

Shortcut to Lot: HA.com/1389*2017

1793 1C S-15 R6+ Liberty Cap VG8 PCGS. Partly glossy dark olive brown and steel with lighter steel brown toning on the highpoints. The highpoints are smooth but a glass reveals extremely fine roughness in the fields and protected areas. No verdigris, only minor contact marks including a few rim nicks, the strongest one at the T in LIBERTY. A group of tiny marks at the front of the eye and a chip in the lower hair curls are the other marks worthy of mention. Struck with the dies slightly misaligned; the obverse off to K-5 and the reverse off to K-3. The date and legends are strong except for the usual weakness inside the wreath thanks to swelling in that area. The swelling is pronounced on this example. Graded F12 net VG7 and tied for CC#3 in the Noyes census, his photo #24164. Bland says VG8 and CC#3. Jim Neiswinter, in his 2013 reference titled The Aristocrat, graded this cent VG8 and CC#3. This cataloger's EAC grade is net VG8. The finest in both lists is a lightly corroded net F12 that resides in the ANS Collection. Only 13 examples are known to us, and most are net graded for significant defects. A nice example of this variety called "The Aristocrat" of early cents by Dr. Sheldon in his 1958 reference Penny Whimsy. The attribution and COL Ellsworth Collection provenance are noted on the PCGS Gold Shield label (35462.08/15022374). The reverse of the holder is scuffed.
Ex Copley Coin Co.-Jeff Bender, Stack's 6/17/1960:12 (VG10, $1400)-Dorothy E. Nelson-Toby & Dorothy E. (Nelson) Syzmanski (the "TAD" Collection), Stack's 2/4/1976:10 (VG10, $2300)-William R. T. Smith-Dr. Edward R. Bush 4/1979-G. Lee Kuntz, Superior 10/6/1991:18 ($13,750)-J. R. Frankenfield, Superior held in association with McCawley & Grellman Auctions 2/17/2001:206 ($41,400)-Wesley A. Rasmussen, Heritage Auctions (2005 FUN Convention Sale) 1/13/2005:3018 ($43,700)-COL Steven K. Ellsworth.

Stack's February 1976 public auction was anchored by the celebrated TAD Collection of United States Large Cents, an assemblage notable for both its depth and the extraordinary quality of preservation across the series. The sale opened with an impressive run of 1793 Chain, Wreath, and Liberty Cap cents, many with illustrious pedigrees tracing back to Parmelee, Earle, Jackman, and Beckwith, among others. Highlights included a Mint State 1793 Chain America cent described as one of the finest surviving examples, and a 1793 Wreath cent in superb condition with a pedigree spanning the Miller and Newcomb collections. Early Liberty Caps were equally remarkable, featuring rarities such as the 1793 S-13 Crosby 12-L in near-gem condition and the elusive Crosby 14-K, one of just ten known. Each coin reflected the collector's philosophy that U.S. numismatics began and ended with the large cent, and the presentation underscored the hypnotic appeal of copper coins preserved in near-pristine states.

Beyond the famous 1793 issues, the TAD Collection carried strength through the Classic Head, Draped Bust, and later early date large cents of 1794-1814, many ranking in the Condition Census or tied for finest known. Noteworthy pieces included beautifully struck 1794 cents such as the S-28 "Ornate Obverse" from the Downing sale, a Mint State 1795 Lettered Edge, and high-grade 1796 Liberty Caps and Draped Busts. These coins often bore pedigrees to landmark sales like Homer Downing, Landau, Dupont, and T.J. Clarke, situating the TAD Collection firmly within the great tradition of American copper. Stack's presentation, with detailed cataloguing by C. Douglas Smith, highlighted both rarity and condition in a manner rarely seen, ensuring the auction's reputation as a benchmark sale for early American copper collectors.

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