LOT #2098 |
Sold on Jan 8, 2026 for: Sign-in
or Join (free & quick)
1796 1C S-90 R5+ Liberty Cap AU55 PCGS....
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
Sold on Jan 8, 2026 for:
$26,840.00
Bid Source: HA.com/Live bidder
Description
1796 S-90 Liberty Cap Cent, AU55
Condition Census
1796 1C S-90 R5+ Liberty Cap AU55 PCGS. Medium steel brown
and chocolate with frosty lighter brown and tan in protected areas,
particularly on the reverse. Sharply struck with nice eye appeal,
but there are some marks. The notable marks are two small rim
bruises at TY in LIBERTY (both have been lightly smoothed), a trio
of small spots of dark brown toning off the mouth, a rim bruise
under the left end of the wreath ribbon, a few smaller ones over
OF, and a nick under the first S in STATES. A minor beveled
planchet clip left of the lower curls is not visible in the holder,
and the clip does not affect the rim on the reverse. EDS, Breen
state I, before any hint of a bulge in the center of the reverse.
Graded EF45 net VF25 and CC#5 in the Noyes census, his photo
#25444. Bland says EF45 net VF35 and CC#5. This cataloger's EAC
grade is net VF30. The attribution and COL Ellsworth Collection
provenance are noted on the PCGS Gold Shield label
(35777.55/43987705).Ex John P. Young, M. H. Bolender 9/8/1951:55 ($260)-R. E. "Ted" Naftzger, Jr.-Robert Gildred, Kagin's Numismatic Auctions 10/14/1983:1021 ($6600)-Dr. C. R. Chambers 10/26/1989-Dennis Mendelson 7/15/1991-Robinson S. "Robbie" Brown, Jr., Superior 1/27/1996:125 ($10,450)-Walter J. Husak, Heritage Auctions 2/15/2008:2091 ($37,375)-COL Steven K. Ellsworth.
The September 1951 Bolender mail-bid sale (181st auction) was especially notable for its extraordinary offering of early American large cents. The catalog described over 1,100 pieces from 1793 through 1826, with nearly 400 examples dated between 1793 and 1798 alone. The sale opened with Chain and Wreath cents of 1793, followed by an extraordinary sequence of 1794 Liberty Caps covering dozens of Hays and Sheldon die marriages. Highlights included Condition Census-level examples, rare "office boy reverse" pieces, and elusive "fallen 4" and "braided hair" varieties. The 1795 and 1796 cents were also unusually comprehensive, featuring lettered edge, plain edge, and reeded edge varieties, along with Liberty Caps, Draped Busts, and the scarce 1796 "LIHERTY" error cent.
The 1797-1799 issues were another cornerstone of the sale. Bolender offered an impressive 26 different 1797 cents, including multiple Nichols Find survivors in exceptional preservation, as well as rare "stemless wreath" and "gripped edge" varieties. The 1798 section contained more than forty different varieties, many with heavy die breaks, overdates, and seldom-seen combinations, while the elusive 1799 cent was represented by solid collectible examples. The catalog continued with early 1800s issues, including a rich run of overdates (1800/1798 and 1800/1799 varieties) and major die state rarities. Together, these early coppers-cataloged with careful references to Crosby, Hays, Doughty, Newcomb, Clapp, and Sheldon-established the 1951 Bolender sale as one of the most important mail-bid offerings of early large cents in the mid-20th century.
From The COL Steven Ellsworth Collection of U.S. Large Cents 1793-1796.
Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 223V, Variety PCGS# 35777, Base PCGS# 1392, Greysheet# 77506)
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: 27
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 229
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.
Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms | US & World Coin Grading Tutorial
Important information concerning Sales Tax and Resale Certificates. Learn More
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms | US & World Coin Grading Tutorial