1794 1C Venus Marina, S-32, BN (Regular Strike)

As "Uncirculated. Bright Red." “The Henry C. Miller Collection,” Thomas Elder, April 1917, Lot 678 – $112.50; Henry Chapman; Dr. Christian A. Allenberger. As "Uncirculated, mint red turning to light olive." B. Max Mehl, March 1948, Lot 339 – $87.50; R.E. “Ted” Naftzger, Jr.; Naftzger sold to Eric Streiner, February 23, 1992; Jay Parrino; Anthony Terranova; Dr. Thomas Turissini. As PCGS MS65+RB #20383873. Legend Rare Coin Auctions, September 26, 2018, Lot 210 – Passed; As PCGS MS66BN #20383873. Dr Thomas Turissini, May 5, 2018; Legend Rare Coin Auctions, March 21, 2019, Lot 8 – $152,750; John H. Agre. S-32. This coin, already impressive, must have been a sight to behold when it was offered in the Henry C. Miller sale. Its once "bright red" appearance has since mellowed into a rich chocolate brown, though some underlying red hues remain. While PCGS graded the coin as Red Brown (RB) as recently as 2018, in its most recent auction appearance, it was certified as PCGS MS66BN. 

Discovered in Boston. As "Uncirculated. A gem." Thomas Elder, October 1907, Lot 137 - $43; Virgil M. Brand; B.G. Johnson, March 1943; Abe Kosoff. As "Mint State 60, the finest known specimen." New Netherlands Coin Co. September 1953, Lot 238 – $155; “The Floyd T. Starr Collection,” Stack’s, June 1984, Lot 25 – $9,900; Dr. Allen Bennett, 2000; “The Walter J. Husak Collection,” Heritage Auctions, February 15, 2008, Lot 2034 – $69,000. As PCGS MS63+BN #26772765. "The Paul Gerrie Collection," Goldberg Auctioneers, February 2013, Lot 21 - $92,000. "The Larry A. Brand Collection," Early Cents Auctions, September 3, 2022, Lot 508 - $90,000; "The Colonel Steven K. Ellsworth Collection," Heritage Auctions, January 8, 2026, Lot 2037 - $85,400. S-32. Die State IV. A previous owner called the coin "the little pebble that started the avalanche."

Discovered in England, 1974; James D. King, November 1976; Gordon J. Wrubel, September 1977; R.E. "Ted" Naftzger, Jr., December 11, 1986; "The Herman Halpern Collection," Stack's March 16, 1988, Lot 46; Anthony Terranova; R.E. "Ted" Naftzger, Jr., February 23, 1992; Eric Streiner; Chris Victor-McCawley August 1992. As PCGS MS63BN #32982338. "The Tom Reynolds Collection," Goldberg Auctioneers, February 1, 2016, Lot 22 - $32,900; "The Collections of Walter J. Husak and the Liberty Cap Foundation," Heritage Auctions, January 4, 2024, Lot 2026 - $38,400. S-32. Die State III. No cud over LI. Heavy creack through first S to wreath. Heavy clash images. Unevenly struck.

S-32.

As "Uncirculated." "The William H. Cottier Collection," Samuel Hudson & Henry Chapman, June 1885, Lot 673 - $13.50; As "Extremely Fine." "The C.T. Whitman Collection," S. H. & H. Chapman, August 1893, Lot 828 - $6.25; As "Uncircualted. Sharp Impression."  "The George H. Earle, Jr. Collection," Henry Chapman, June 1912, Lot 3379 - $36; As "Uncirculated." "The Howard R. Newcomb Collection," J. C. Morgenthau & Co., February 1945, Lot 43 - $57.50; F.C.C. Boyd, 1957 • New Netherlands Coin Co., sold privately, 1957; Dorothy I. Paschal; Dr. William H. Sheldon, April 19, 1972; As "Mint State 60." "The R.E. "Ted" Naftzger, Jr. Collection," New Netherlands Coin Co., November 14, 1973, Lot 355 - $3,000; Denis W. Loring; Dr. Robert J. Shalowitz; Darwin B. Palmer, Jr.; John W. Adams; Bowers and Ruddy Galleries 1982 Fixed Price List, Lot 23 - $8,500; George E. Ewing, Jr.; Chris Victor-McCawley, Fixed Price List #45 - $10,500; Early American Coppers, April 1995, Lot 154 - $5,600; Anthony J. Terranova; Walter J. Husak and Jack Schultz, October 1996; Walter J. Husak & Chris Victor-McCawley, August 9, 2000; W.M. “Jack” Wadlington; Chris Victor-McCawley & Bob Grellman, June 30, 2005; "The Daniel W. Holmes, Jr. Collection," Goldberg Auctioneers, September 6, 2009, Lot 52 - $18,975; COL Steven K. Ellsworth. S-32. Unevenly struck. Die State IV. Die cud above LI. Die clash and bold die break on the reverse. The brick red corrosion noted on the reverse is stable and his been present since the Whitman sale of 1893. The Chapman's also downgraded the condition of the coin from Uncirculated to Extra Fine between the Cottier and Whitman sales, only to have Henry Chapman reinstate its status as an uncirculated coin in 1912.