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Description

1795 S-80 Jefferson Head Cent, VG10
New to the Census

1795 1C Jefferson Head, Plain Edge, S-80, B-11a, Low R.5, VG10 PCGS. CAC. This is a pleasing example of the so-called Jefferson Head cent that numismatic tradition suggests was privately coined in John Harper's cellar. Examination of contemporary documents often leaves room for different interpretations, and that is clearly true of these coins. In his March 1993 Penny-Wise article, Michael Hodder wrote: "John Harper is one of the mystery men from the Mint's early history. The few facts known about him have become the stuff of numismatic legend." Although not true large cents as they were not produced at the Philadelphia Mint, these pieces are embraced and collected within the early copper community. Hodder continued: "I don't believe that the 1795 'Jefferson Head' cents were designed and struck by Harper. The argument that they were is purely circumstantial and rests on supposition."

There are 44 examples of the 1795 S-80 Jefferson Head cents recorded in the Noyes/Lusk Early Copper Database Project that range in grade from Basel State (Poor) 1 through VF30, based on the grades that Bill Noyes assigns to each coin. Perhaps another dozen exist that are unrecorded in that census, including the present example that is an excellent quality piece for its PCGS-assigned grade. The olive-brown surfaces are smooth and pleasing with trivial marks on the effigy's cheek. A small rim nick over the ER in LIBERTY will identify this piece going forward. The obverse shows good separation between the profile and hairline with several lower hair strands separated. The wreath on the reverse is nicely outlined while some of the central and peripheral lettering is indistinct. While the "who made them" question is debated, the Jefferson Head cents maintain a high level of importance.
From The Ronald Firman Rarities Collection.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 2722, Variety PCGS# 35741, Base PCGS# 1386, Greysheet# 77496)

Metal: 100% Copper
Weight: 13.48 grams
Weight: 0.48oz


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Auction Info

Auction Dates
November, 2024
20th-24th Wednesday-Sunday
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