LOT #3034 |
Current Bid: $20,000
1794 1C Starred Reverse, S-48, B-38, High R.4, VF20 PCGS....
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Description
1794 Starred Reverse Cent, VF20
S-48, Apparently New to the Census
1794 1C Starred Reverse, S-48, B-38, High R.4, VF20 PCGS.
Early cent collectors recognize certain coins such as the Chain
AMERI., the Strawberry Leaf, the Bisecting Crack, the Jefferson
Head, and others when their nicknames are mentioned. The same holds
true in other series such as the S-VDB and the Three-Legged nickel.
Perhaps no early cent is more famous than the Starred Reverse. More
than 70 individual stars are evident on this example that we are
unable to locate in the current census posted at
1794largecents.com, nor in the Noyes/Lusk early copper
database.Most Starred Reverse cents show stronger details at the lower left reverse. Denis Loring explains at PCGS CoinFacts: "Early in its life, the reverse die buckled in a straight line from 10:00 to 4:00, accounting for the scarcity of the variety. Because of the buckle, the upper right reverse wears away quickly and the lower left lingers. Low-grade examples are known showing only a few stars at 7:00." The present example shows more stars than most others at similar or lower grades.
Unlike many others, this example features smooth olive and golden-tan surfaces with a few splashes of maroon toning on the reverse. A reverse rim nick over the second T in STATES will aid provenance research, as will a small surface mark at the O in OF. At one time, the Starred Reverse was thought to be a major rarity, although today the variety has broken into the Rarity-4 level with an estimated population of 80 to 90 examples. However, Dr. Sheldon once wrote: "Collectors mention it with religious awe" and the same holds true today. Despite its status as the premier 1794 cent variety, we still have no understanding of the purpose of those 94 stars intermixed with the border dentils on the reverse.
Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 223P, Variety PCGS# 35705, Base PCGS# 1374, Greysheet# 76772)
Weight: 13.48 grams
Metal: 100% Copper
Auction Info
2026 January 14 - 17 FUN US Coins Signature® Auction #1390 (go to Auction Home page)
Proxy Bidding Ends
January
14th
Wednesday
1:50 pm CT
Auction Dates
January
14th-17th
Wednesday-Saturday
Proxy Bidding Time Remaining
4 Days
13h 10m 30s
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 21
Lot Tracking Activity: 20
Page Views: 379
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
22% of the successful bid (minimum $29) per lot.
This lot is in: 1 -
Signature® Floor Session - Platinum Session - I (Live Floor, Live Phone, Mail, Fax, Internet, and Heritage Live):
(Lots 3001-3176) - 2:00 PM Central Time, Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
[Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live now starts within 2 hours of when the auction opens for proxy bidding and continues through the live session.]
Exhibition Viewing Times, Title Page, Floor Session and License Information
Additional Location Info:
Heritage Auctions
2801 W. Airport Freeway
Dallas, TX 75261
Rasmussen Special Edition Catalog
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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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