The Sheldon 199 variety of 1796 Large Cents is a semi-scarce coin, but it is plentiful in Mint State thanks to its presence in the Nichols Find (or Hoard). In December 1797, Benjamin Goodhue, a former Representative and Senator of Massachusetts and a member of the first four U.S. Congresses, purchased approximately 1,000 Large Cents at the U.S. Mint. The hoard consisted entirely of 1796 and 1797 Large Cents, all in high grade. The hoard passed down through his daughters to the Nichols family and, in 1863, David Nichols began selling the coins to dealers. Were it not for the presence of this hoard, the S-199 would be virtually impossible to find in Mint State.