1794 Normal Head, Large Edge Letters, B-6a, C-4b, Low R.7, AU53+ PCGS. CAC. Our EAC Grade XF40....

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1794 B-6a, C-4b Half Cent, AU53+
Large Edge Letters
Eight to Twelve Known

1794 Normal Head, Large Edge Letters, B-6a, C-4b, Low R.7, AU53+ PCGS. CAC. Our EAC Grade XF40. Equivalents. Cohen-4b; Breen-6a; Bowers Whitman-6a; Eckberg 4-E.

Rarity. Low R.7. Eckberg observes that eight examples of this sub-variety are known while Jim McGuigan estimates that a dozen are known. Only two pieces were known to Cohen when he published his second edition in 1982, while Breen reported three pieces the following year. The population increased to eight examples before the 1998 publication of Ronald Manley's Half Cent Die State Book.

Obverse 4 is unique to Breen-6. The well-spaced date is close to the bust with the 9 low. The shoulder loop is positioned over the 7. LIBERTY has the LI and ER slightly closer than other letters with the L slightly low and ER slightly high. The heavy pole joins the neck and its thick end nearly touches the border. A small center dot is hidden in the hair left of the ear lobe.

Reverse E appears on Breen-5 and 6. A vertical leaf pair is directly right of the T in CENT, and that feature is diagnostic. The left branch has 14 leaves and six berries. The right branch has 18 leaves and six berries. The upper right berry is attached to a stem from the tip of a leaf, a botanical improbability. The numerator is close to the fraction bar and the denominator is widely spaced and curved. Terminal leaves of the left and right wreath branches appear to touch, unlike any other 1794 reverse. The ribbon ends extend to the bottom of the denominator, that on the left ending very close to the border.

Edge. Lettered TWO HUNDRED FOR A DOLLAR with a single leaf. Two edge devices used in 1794 are distinguished by the letter size. The Large Edge Letters device has broad, shallow, and closely spaced letters.

Surfaces. A shallow angular scratch in the right obverse field is blended with the surrounding area and only visible with careful observation. A few other insignificant marks are noted on the dark brown surfaces.

Die State. Manley Die State 2.0. Prominent clash marks are visible on both sides. This is an intermediate state of the die marriage, but according to Manley, it is the late die state of C-4b.

Appearances. Illustrated at the PCGS Set Registry record of the McGuigan Collection.

PCGS Population (3/2022). PCGS has certified three attributed examples of C-4b, including this AU53+, the Missouri Cabinet VF30, and an example that grades VG10.

Commentary. Bob Grellman described the Missouri Cabinet coin that he graded Fine 15 as the finest known of this sub-variety. At the time he wrote of that coin, he was likely not aware of this finer coin that is apparently a recent discovery.

McGuigan Commentary. Attractive glossy dark brown surfaces. Intermediate die state (M2.0) with heavy obverse and reverse clash marks. Finest known of about a dozen or so examples of the sub-variety.

Provenance. Ex: Thomas D. Reynolds (11/2013).

Personality. Most 1794 half cents were minted in June or July that year, shortly after the May 20th appointment of Dr. Nicholas Way as the second Mint Treasurer. The son of Wilmington, Delaware's Francis Way who was a highly respected member of the Friend's Society, Dr. Way was born about 1750, or perhaps a few years earlier. He was educated at the University of Pennsylvania and earned his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1771. As a prominent Philadelphia physician, Dr. Way frequently attended to yellow fever victims, and succumbed to the disease in September 1797. On September 4, Mint Director Elias Boudinot wrote to the Honorable Timothy Pickering:

"It is with inexpressible grief, that, I announce to you the unexpected death of our excellent friend Dr. Nicholas Way, Treasurer of the Mint. He dyed [sic] last Saturday evening of a most malignant yellow fever. The disorder in the city increases in its malignity, and, of course is more mortal than it was. I fear from the information that I have, that it will spread over the city. Enclosed is a letter giving the information to the President. I have seen Dr. Rush, whose mind is greatly clouded, by the present appearance of the disorder. He seems determined if he should live thro' this visitation of the city, to retire from business, and I suspect would gladly accept the office of Treasurer of the Mint. It would be a respectable appointment and therefore I mention it to you."
From The James R. McGuigan Half Cent Collection.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 2223, Variety PCGS# 35039, Base PCGS# 35015, Greysheet# 80846)

Weight: 6.74 grams

Metal: 100% Copper

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