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1794 1C Head of 1794, S-54, B-46, R.3, VF35 Bland, VF35 Noyes; XF45 PCGS Secure. ...
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Description
1794 S-54 Head of 1794 Cent, XF45
Tied for Fifth Finest Known
Ex: R.S. Brown, Jr.-Wes Rasmussen
1794 1C Head of 1794, S-54, B-46, R.3, VF35 Bland, VF35 Noyes;
XF45 PCGS Secure. The medium brown surfaces are somewhat
subdued, with dull surface chatter on both sides. Faint tan
highlights add to the eye appeal of this important cent. The
reverse border at upper right is somewhat weakly defined, while all
other border details are boldly rendered.Variety Equivalents: Maris 7, Frossard 5.1, Doughty 27, Hays 11, Chapman 43.
Obverse 26: 7 Leans Right. The 7 leans sharply to the right on this obverse, and its tail nearly touches a border dentil. There is wide spacing between the top three hair locks. This obverse is found on S-54, S-55, and S-56.
Reverse X: Closed Wreath. The left and right terminal leaves are joined below the E in STATES, closing the wreath at its top, and that feature is diagnostic. The right ribbon end hangs down, nearly touching the fraction bar and the final 0 in 100. This reverse is found on S-49, S-50, S-51, S-52, S-53, and S-54.
Die State IV: This late die state example has a nearly horizontal die crack from the rim to the hair just below the cap. Walter Breen mentioned this piece in his Large Cent Encyclopedia, writing: "The Robinson S. Brown, Jr. coin shows, under strong magnification, at least three sets of obverse clash marks, almost perfectly aligned."
Rarity and Census: Although more plentiful than the last several Closed Wreath varieties, the S-54 is still elusive, and high grade pieces are decidedly tough to acquire. Just two AU examples and two XF pieces appear in Del Bland's Condition Census. The Boka specimen is one of four pieces that are tied for fifth finest known, and one of the finer coins is part of the ANS Collection. Bill Noyes ranks this example tied for sixth finest known.
Commentary: This is the last appearance of the Closed Wreath reverse die, matched with six obverse dies. Even in this final appearance, there are no major defects that would explain why the die was retired. The obverse and reverse are illustrated in Al Boka's Provenance Gallery.
Boka Commentary: Carl Wurtzbach knew, Del Bland and Dorothy Paschal knew, Robbie, Wes, and I knew...this is one great looking coin. Good luck chasing her.
Biography: Virgil Brand's cousin, Carl Wurtzbach, was born in 1864 and died in 1947. He was president of Lee National Bank in Massachusetts. He was an avid collector of Massachusetts silver and copper coinage, as well as large cents. In 1937, Wurtzbach published a set of photographic plates depicting the obverse and reverse of 83 Massachusetts colonial pieces. He donated his Massachusetts coppers to the American Numismatic Society. Brand financed his collecting activities, and his large cent collection was transferred to Brand in 1919. Wurtzbach served as president of the American Numismatic Association from 1917 to 1919.
Provenance: Carl Wurtzbach (Barney Bluestone #100, 2/1948), lot 422; Dr. Kenneth J. Sartoris (5/1972); Del Bland; John W. Adams; Dorothy I. Paschal (11/1977); Robinson S. Brown, Jr. (Superior Galleries, 9/1986), lot 73; Wes A. Rasmussen (Heritage Auctions, 1/2005), lot 3063; Jon Alan Boka.
From The Jon Alan Boka Collection of 1794 Large Cents.
Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 223P, Variety PCGS# 35624, Base PCGS# 901374, GSID# 76778)
Metal: 100% Copper
Weight: 13.48 grams
Weight: 0.48oz
View all of [The Jon Alan Boka Collection of 1794 Large Cents ]
Auction Info
2016 September 7 - 11 Long Beach Expo US Coins Signature Auction - Long Beach #1239 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
September, 2016
7th-11th
Wednesday-Sunday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 25
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 798
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
17.5% of the successful bid per lot.
Rasmussen Special Edition Catalog
This hard bound volume contains the magnificent Wes Rasmussen Large Cent Collection, formed by a former President of the Early American Coppers society which was auctioned at the 2005 Florida United Numismatic Auction. Reserve your copy of this remarkable volume for just $75 today.
This hard bound volume contains the magnificent Wes Rasmussen Large Cent Collection, formed by a former President of the Early American Coppers society which was auctioned at the 2005 Florida United Numismatic Auction. Reserve your copy of this remarkable volume for just $75 today.
Rasmussen Signed Limited Edition Catalog
A hard bound limited library edition of the Wes Rasmussen Collection Catalog, signed by Wes Rasmussen, Mark Borckardt, Greg Rohan, and Denis Loring, is available while supplies last. Only 100 produced. Reserve your copy of this remarkable limited edition signed volume for just $150 today.
A hard bound limited library edition of the Wes Rasmussen Collection Catalog, signed by Wes Rasmussen, Mark Borckardt, Greg Rohan, and Denis Loring, is available while supplies last. Only 100 produced. Reserve your copy of this remarkable limited edition signed volume for just $150 today.
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