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1796 1C S-87 R3 Liberty Cap AU58 PCGS....
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Sold on Jan 8, 2026 for:
$26,840.00
Bid Source: HA.com/Live bidder
Description
1796 S-87 Liberty Cap Cent, AU58
Condition Census
1796 1C S-87 R3 Liberty Cap AU58 PCGS. Lightly cleaned and
retoned frosty steel brown and light chocolate on the obverse with
lighter olive and golden brown on the reverse. There is just a
faint touch of friction on the highest points of the devices. The
notable marks are a spot of dark brown toning at the second S in
STATES, a few vertical streaks of similar dark toning lower on the
reverse, and a tiny scratch over TE in STATES. LDS, Breen state IV,
with die cracks on the obverse, obvious die rust in the field
before the portrait and around the U in UNITED, and several sets of
fine die clashmarks on the reverse. Graded MS60 net EF45 and tied
for CC#4 in the Noyes census, his photo #34471. Bland says MS60 net
AU50 and tied for CC#2. This cataloger's EAC grade is net
AU50. The attribution and COL Ellsworth Collection provenance
are noted on the PCGS Gold Shield label (35768.58/15004942).Ex W. H. Spedding, S. H. & H. Chapman 12/3/1894:792 ($71)-George H. Earle, Jr., Henry Chapman 6/29/1912:3398 ($57.50)-Carl Wurtzbach-R. T. Davis, Stack's 2/2/1968:15 ($850)-John L. Roper, 2nd, Stack's 12/9/1983:449 (MS60, $4125)-John Whitney Walter, Stack's 5/4/1999:1716 ($13,225)-Anthony J. Terranova-Walter J. Husak, Heritage Auctions 2/15/2008:2088 ($18,400)-COL Steven K. Ellsworth.
The June 1912 Henry Chapman sale of the George H. Earle, Jr. Collection was hailed as one of the most magnificent auctions of its era, with a cabinet noted for both completeness and extraordinary quality. Early American copper was a central highlight, beginning with important colonial issues such as the New England, Willow, Oak, and Pine Tree coinages, Lord Baltimore pieces, and landmark rarities like the 1785 Immune Columbia in silver and the silver Continental dollar pattern of 1776. These were followed by classic federal patterns of 1792-including the Silver Center cent and 1792 disme-illustrating Earle's ambition to secure both foundational and experimental coinage of the nation.
The federal copper series continued with superb half cents and large cents, many singled out in Chapman's preface as "worthy of special attention." Among them were multiple 1793 Chain, Wreath, and Liberty Cap cents of unusually fine condition, rare 1799 and 1804 large cents, and high-grade examples from the 1790s through the later series. Half cents included a celebrated 1796 and other elusive early dates, capped by what Chapman described as "the finest 1796 half cent." The combination of condition, completeness, and rarity set new benchmarks for copper collecting, and with its 36 photographic plates the catalog became both a monumental reference and a landmark in early American copper scholarship.
In addition to its legendary coppers, the Earle Collection was equally celebrated for its breadth and depth in silver and gold coinage. The sale included a nearly complete run of United States silver dollars along side superb early half dollars and quarters. The gold series was no less impressive, beginning with a run of early half eagles, eagles, and double eagles, many in Mint State. Patterns in both silver and gold, rare colonials in silver, and important Washington medals further enhanced the catalog's scope. Together, these non-copper sections demonstrated Earle's pursuit of completeness across all denominations and his ability to secure many of the greatest American numismatic treasures of his time.
From The COL Steven Ellsworth Collection of U.S. Large Cents 1793-1796.
Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 223V, Variety PCGS# 35768, Base PCGS# 1392, Greysheet# 77503)
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: 22
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 312
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
22% 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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