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1794 1C S-27 R5 Head of 1794, Buckled Obverse, AU50 PCGS....
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Sold on Jan 8, 2026 for:
$41,480.00
Bid Source: Live: Floor bidder
Description
1794 S-27 Head of 1794 Cent, AU50
Tied for the Third Finest Known
Morley & Heck Plate Coin
1794 1C S-27 R5 Head of 1794, Buckled Obverse, AU50 PCGS.
Frosty reddish brown and tan. Possibly retoned long ago but the eye
appeal is quite nice. The surfaces are smooth and there are just a
few marks including a spot of dark olive brown toning on the bust
and a rim bruise at ED in UNITED. MDS, Breen state III, Heck state
4, with a subtle bulge across the obverse and a dull crack along
the bulge from the rim to the third hair strand below the cap. A
stronger horizontal crack shows from the chin to the rim on the
right side of the obverse. Graded EF45 net VF30 and tied for CC#3
in the Noyes census, his photo #21237. Bland says EF40 and CC#2.
This cataloger's EAC grade is VF35. The finest example in
both census lists resides in the ANS Collection so finding a better
one will present quite a challenge. The obverse of this cent is
plated on page 9 in the 1979 Tom Morley reference titled 1794
Large Cents Graded and Updated to illustrate the EF40 grade,
and it is the plate coin for die state 4 in the 2022 Charles F.
"Chuck" Heck reference Die States of 1794 United States Large
Cents. The attribution and COL Ellsworth Collection provenance
are noted on the PCGS Gold Shield label (35546.50/13457252). The
holder is scuffed.Discovered in England 1970-Lester Merkin 3/1970-R. E. "Ted" Naftzger, Jr., New Netherlands Coin Co. 11/14/1973:350 ($3200)-John W. Adams 1/1975-Denis W. Loring 5/7/1983-Jack H. Robinson, Superior 1/29/1989:44 ($16,500)-Dr. Allen Bennett 1/20/1998-Walter J. Husak, Heritage Auctions 2/15/2008:2029 ($51,750)-COL Steven K. Ellsworth.
The August 1893 Chapman brothers' sale of the C.T. Whitman Collection was one of the most important late 19th-century dispersals of early American copper, reflecting Whitman's decades-long pursuit of quality and rarity. His large cent holdings began with foundational 1793s-Chain, Wreath, and Liberty Cap cents-described in unusually fine condition for their era. The 1794s were particularly notable, comprising an extensive run of Sheldon varieties with several coins called "uncirculated" or "superb," making the collection an essential reference for variety specialists. The early Liberty Caps and Draped Bust cents of the 1795-1797 period added further weight, highlighted by rare die marriages and error varieties, including several seldom seen in public auction at the time.
Later early dates were also strongly represented, with Condition Census-level 1798-1803 cents, rare overdates such as the 1800/1798 and 1801 1/000, and standout examples of the 1804 and 1807 issues. The half cents reinforced the copper strength, beginning with 1793 and 1794 issues and extending through the end of the series, including the key 1802/0. With Chapman's careful cataloguing, the Whitman sale provided both market excitement and a lasting scholarly contribution, ensuring its reputation as one of the cornerstone copper auctions of the 19th century.
From The COL Steven Ellsworth Collection of U.S. Large Cents 1793-1796.
Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 223P, Variety PCGS# 35546, Base PCGS# 901374, Greysheet# 76751)
Weight: 13.48 grams
Metal: 100% Copper
View all of [The COL Steven Ellsworth Collection of U.S. Large Cents 1793-1796 ]
Auction Info
2026 January 8 US Coins Signature Auction - FUN Special Sessions: Ellsworth & Jacobson #1389 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
January, 2026
8th
Thursday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 23
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 468
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
22% of the successful bid per lot.
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