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1794 1C Starred Reverse, S-48, B-38, High R.4, VF20 PCGS....
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Sold on Jan 14, 2026 for:
$91,500.00
Bid Source: HA.com/Live bidder
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)
Auction Dates
January, 2026
14th-17th
Wednesday-Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 28
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 611
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
22% of the successful bid per lot.
Rasmussen Special Edition Catalog
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Rasmussen Signed Limited Edition Catalog
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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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