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1796 1C S-89 R3 Liberty Cap AU53 PCGS....
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Sold on Jan 8, 2026 for:
$26,840.00
Bid Source: Live: Floor bidder
Description
1796 Liberty Cap Cent, AU53
The Naftzger S-89
1796 1C S-89 R3 Liberty Cap AU53 PCGS. Choice glossy
chocolate and steel brown with traces of frosty lighter steel brown
in protected areas, especially on the reverse. The surfaces are
smooth and this cent has superb eye appeal. Just light wear on the
devices and microscopic marks. The best identifying marks are a
pair of small ticks under the B in LIBERTY, another over the left
top of that T, and a hairline scratch on the upper part of the cap.
Nicely centered and evenly struck on a choice planchet. MDS, Breen
state II, with light die clashmarks on both sides. Graded VF30
Choice and CC#1 in the Noyes census, his photo #20915. Bland says
VF30 and CC#1 among the confirmed examples in his census. This
cataloger's EAC grade is VF30 Choice, but it has the eye appeal
of a higher grade. This cent is plated to illustrate the die
variety in the 1991 Noyes reference on the cents of 1793-1814. A
relatively common die variety but one that is very difficult to
find in the upper grades. Comes with a great provenance. The
attribution and COL Ellsworth Collection provenance are noted on
the PCGS Gold Shield label (35774.53/32982280).Ex David U. Proskey-Henry C. Hines-Dr. William H. Sheldon 4/19/1972-R. E. "Ted" Naftzger, Jr., 2/23/1992-Eric J. Streiner, 1994 EAC Sale, Thomas D. Reynolds 4/23/1994:189 ($5800)-Thomas D. Reynolds Collection, Goldbergs held in association with McCawley & Grellman Auctions 1/31/2016:66 ($15,862.50)-COL Steven K. Ellsworth.
The October 1919 S.H. Chapman sale of the William Sleicher Collection brought forward an impressively broad cabinet, but its strength lay in the early American coppers. Colonial and state issues were represented by Rosa Americana pieces, Wood's coinage, Pitt tokens, Chalmers issues, Nova Constellatio pieces, and a strong offering of Connecticut, New Jersey, Vermont, and Massachusetts coppers, capped by notable Fugio cents and Talbot, Allum & Lee tokens. The federal copper series followed with 1793 Chain and Wreath cents, Liberty Caps through 1796, and Draped Bust issues of the later 1790s, many singled out for their preservation and sharpness. The catalog, with three photographic plates devoted to cents, made clear that Sleicher's early federal coppers were a centerpiece of the sale.
Half cents added further depth, beginning with 1793 and 1794 examples and extending through the early 1800s with scarce varieties, often difficult to obtain in attractive condition. Together, these early copper offerings reflected Sleicher's long-term pursuit of completeness and originality, as many of his best pieces were secured at landmark auctions like the 1910 Mougey and 1913 Lyman sales. Chapman's detailed cataloguing, along with the photographic plates, reinforced the scholarly and market value of the collection. The sale remains a reference point for early American copper collectors, illustrating both the rarity and the quality standards sought by one of Troy, New York's leading collectors.
From The COL Steven Ellsworth Collection of U.S. Large Cents 1793-1796.
Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 223V, Variety PCGS# 35774, Base PCGS# 1392, Greysheet# 77505)
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: 23
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 232
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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