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

Lot Number: 2025

Shortcut to Lot: HA.com/1389*2025

1794 1C S-20b R4+ Head of 1793, Edge of 1794, Close Straight Date, VF35 PCGS. Rather frosty light to medium brown with hints of light reddish chocolate on both sides. The surfaces are smooth and the eye appeal of this cent is excellent. The only defects are a very light rim bruise left of the lowest curl, a small spot of darker olive brown toning at the junction of the pole and neck, a larger puff of darker reddish brown toning right of the T in CENT, and a tiny nick at the left top of the U in UNITED. The date and legends are strong, and the edge lettering is bold. MDS, Breen state I late, Heck state 2 early. There is the faintest hint of a bulge from the rim to the upper part of the chin but no trace of die rust in the left side of the wreath. The short crack down from a dentil right of the second S in STATES is visible. Noyes says VF30 net VF25 and tied for CC#4, his photo #61952. Bland says VF30 and CC#3 in his updated census. This cataloger's EAC grade is VF25. The finest example is housed in the ANS Collection so the number of superior examples available to collectors is quite small. A very nice example of this Head of 1793 variety, and it comes with a great provenance. The attribution and COL Ellsworth Collection provenance are noted on the PCGS Gold Shield label (35522.35/37529395).
Ex Samuel H. Chapman-Dr. Christian A. Allenburger, B. Max Mehl Sale #111, 3/23/1948:333 ($70)-R. E. "Ted" Naftzger, Jr., 1/1971-Dorothy I. Paschal 8/14/1972-Eugene Exman, Heritage Auctions 6/4/2015:3752 ($44,650)-Haig Koshkarian, Goldbergs held in association with McCawley & Grellman Auctions 2/12/2017:7 ($23,500)-Daniel W. Trollan, 2023 EAC Sale, Early Cents Auctions 6/24/2023:93 ($35,710)-COL Steven K. Ellsworth.

The March 1948 B. Max Mehl auction combined three important consignments: world gold and platinum coins from King Farouk of Egypt, U.S. silver and copper coins from Dr. Christian A. Allenburger, and U.S. and foreign pieces from Dr. Russell H. Renz. While the Farouk and Renz consignments drew attention for their breadth and rarities, the Allenburger collection provided the copper strength of the sale. Beginning with 1793 Chain, Wreath, and Liberty Cap cents, the offering extended through the early 19th century, featuring sharp early strikes, scarce die marriages, and several pieces in unusually high states of preservation for the period. Notable highlights included early Liberty Caps, Draped Bust issues of the 1790s, and choice overdates of the early 1800s, carefully cataloged by Mehl to emphasize condition and rarity.
Half cents complemented the large cent section, with 1793 and 1794 examples among the most important offerings, as well as later rarities such as the 1802/0. The catalog underscored Allenburger's dedication to completeness and quality, balancing landmark rarities with collectible mid-grade pieces. While the overall sale was remembered for its international consignments and Mehl's showmanship, the copper coins from Allenburger's cabinet anchored the event as a significant moment for U.S. early copper specialists, blending strong pedigrees, desirable die varieties, and carefully preserved examples into one of Mehl's most wide-ranging sales.

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