1794 1C Short Bust, S-49, BN (Regular Strike)
Series: Liberty Cap Cents 1793-1796
PCGS AU58BN
PCGS AU50BN
PCGS XF45BN
- PCGS #:
- 35609
- Designer:
- Attributed to Robert Scot
- Edge:
- Lettered: ONE HUNDRED FOR A DOLLAR
- Diameter:
- 28.00 millimeters
- Weight:
- 13.48 grams
- Mintage:
- 918,521
- Mint:
- Philadelphia
- Metal:
- Copper
- Auction Record:
- $34,500 • AU58 • 02-01-2008 • Heritage Auctions
Die Varieties
- 1794 1C Flat Pole, S-21, BN
- 1794 1C Bent Lock, S-22, BN
- 1794 1C S-23, Shattered Obverse, BN
- 1794 1C Apple Cheek, S-24, BN
- 1794 1C Head of '94, S-24, RB
- 1794 1C Severed Locks, S-25, BN
- 1794 1C Severed Locks, S-26, BN
- 1794 1C Head of '94, S-26, RB
- 1794 1C Egeria, S-27, BN
- 1794 1C Ornate Head, S-28, BN
- 1794 1C Ornate Head, S-29, BN
- 1794 1C Marred Field, S-30, BN
- 1794 1C Marred Field, S-31, BN
- 1794 1C Venus Marina, S-32, BN
- 1794 1C Wheel Spoke, S-33, BN
- 1794 1C Upturned Locks, S-34, BN
- 1794 1C Delicate Lower Lock, S-35, BN
- 1794 1C Low Head, S-36, BN
- 1794 1C Steigerwalt, S-37, BN
- 1794 1C Marred Field, S-38, BN
- 1794 1C Marred Field, S-39, BN
- 1794 1C Marred Field, S-40, BN
- 1794 1C Abrupt Hair, S-41, BN
- 1794 1C Abrupt Hair, S-42, BN
- 1794 1C Head of '94, S-42, RB
- 1794 1C Short Bust, S-43, BN
- 1794 1C Short Bust, S-44, BN
- 1794 1C The Plicae, S-45, BN
- 1794 1C Head of '94, S-45, RB
- 1794 1C Crossed E, S-46, BN
- 1794 1C Head of '94, S-46, RB
- 1794 1C Short Bust, S-47, BN
- 1794 1C Short Bust, S-49, BN
- 1794 1C S-49, RB
- 1794 1C Young Head, S-50, BN
- 1794 1C Long Locks, S-51, BN
- 1794 1C Coquette, S-52, BN
- 1794 1C Severed Locks, S-53, BN
- 1794 1C Slanting 7, S-54, BN
- 1794 1C Big Berries, S-55, BN
- 1794 1C Office Boy Reverse, S-56, BN
- 1794 1C Pyramidal Hair, S-57, BN
- 1794 1C Head of '94, S-57, RB
- 1794 1C Many-Haired, S-58, BN
- 1794 1C Many-Haired, S-59, BN
- 1794 1C Head of '94, S-59, RB
- 1794 1C Patagonian, S-60, BN
- 1794 1C Patagonian, S-61, BN
- 1794 1C Head of '94, S-61, RB
- 1794 1C Trephined Head, S-62, BN
- 1794 1C Fallen 4, S-63, BN
- 1794 1C Shielded Hair, S-65, BN
- 1794 1C Split Pole, S-66, BN
- 1794 1C NC-1, BN
- 1794 1C NC-2, BN
- 1794 1C NC-5, BN
- 1794 1C NC-6, BN
- 1794 1C NC-8, BN
- 1794 1C NC-9, BN
- 1794 1C NC-10, BN
- 1794 1C NC-11, BN
Condition Census What Is This?
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#1 PCGS AU58
As "About Uncirculated." "The Ebenezer Gilbert Collection,” Thomas Elder, October 1910, Lot 7 – $24.50; Dr. George French, March 21, 1929; B. Max Mehl, 1929 Fixed Price List, Lot 27 – $150; T. James Clarke, 1944; B. Max Mehl; Dr. William H. Sheldon, April 19, 1972; “The R.E. 'Ted’ Naftzger, Jr. Collection,” Early American Coppers, May 1990, Lot 23 – $13,000; Dr. Allen Bennett, January 1998. As PCGS AU58 #13457914. “The Walter J. Husak Collection,” Heritage Auctions, February 15, 2008, Lot 2051 – $34,500; Larry A. Bland; "The Del and Larry Bland Collection," Early Cents Auctions, September 3, 2022, Lot 516 - $36,000; Terry S. Denman. S-49. Die State III. |
|
#2 Est AU55
William F. Green; Green Estate; "The Virginian Collection," Brunch Auctions, March 2021, Lot 354. As NGC AU55BN #5925386-012. Heritage Auctions, January 15, 2026, Lot 3495 - $10,980. S-49. Die State II. |
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#3 PCGS AU50
George H. Clapp; J. G. Macallister. As "Very Fine." J.C. Morganthau & Co., March 1938, Lot 390. As "Extremely Fine." "The Milton A. Holmes Collection," Stack’s, October 5, 1960, Lot 1378. As "XF40." "The Robert J. Kissner Collection," Stack’s, June 27, 1975, Lot 248 – $480; Unknown Collector; New England Rare Coin Galleries, 1980; Kenneth Bauer; Henry Hilgard, May 1983; Del Bland, May 13, 1986; "The Herman Halpern Collection," Stack’s, March 16, 1988, Lot 68 – $1,375; Anthony J. Terranova; Tom Morley; Superior Galleries, May 31, 1992, Lot 204 – $1,760 • Chris Victor-McCawley Fixed Price List, March 1995; Daniel W. Trollan. As PCGS AU50BN #36135542. "The Dan Trollan Collection," Goldberg Auctioneers, January 27, 2019, Lot 164 – $6,000; “The William L. Buxton Collection,” Stack’s Bowers, August 16, 2021, Lot 1084 – $6,600; "The Widmer Family Collection," Stack's Bowers, March 10, 2026, Lot 2093 - $7,800. S-49. Die State I. |
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#3 PCGS AU50
As "About Extremely Fine." "The Anderson Dupont Collection," Stack's, September 1954, Lot 72 - $45. As "VF35." "The Herbert M. Oechsner Collection," Stack's, September 1988, Lot 45 - $1,265; James R. McGuigan; David Henderson. As "VF30." Superior Galleries, January 1993, Lot 45; James H. Goudge; Bowers and Merena, January 1997, Lot 5 - $5,225. As PCGS AU50BN. "The Dr. Wallace Lee Collection," Superior Galleries, May 2003, Lot 376 - $5,750; Walter J. Husak. As NGC AU50BN #3412106-002. Heritage Auctions, September 8, 2011, Lot 3005 - $8,050. As PCGS AU50BN #35500327. "The Mark D. Cadden Collection," Golberg Auctioneers, September 13, 2020, Lot 35 - $9,000; Thomas Evert. S-49. Die State I. |
#5 PCGS XF45
Bertram M. Cohen, August 24, 1990; Del Bland; Chris Victor-McCawley; Dr. Robert J. Shalowitz; Robert C. Clark, 2000 ANA Auction, Bowers and Merena, Lot 236 - $7,475; W.M. "Jack" Wadlington, June 30, 2005, via Chris Victor-McCawley & Robert Grellman; "The Daniel W. Holmes, Jr. Collection," Goldberg Auctioneers, September 6, 2009, Lot 80 - $11,212.50; Jon Alan Boka. As PCGS XF45BN #81232294. "The Jon Alan Boka Collection of 1794 Large Cents," Heritage Auctions, September 8, 2016, Lot 5334 - $12,925; "The Louis J. Alfonso Collection," Goldberg Auctioneers, September 13, 2020, Lot 35 - $9,000; Thomas Evert. S-49. Die State I. |
#5 PCGS XF45
Dr. C.R. Chambers; Dr. Robert J. Shalowitz. As "VF35." "The Jack H. Robinson Collection," Superior Galleries, January 1987, Lot 87 - $1,650; "The Daniel W. Holmes, Jr. Collection," Goldberg Auctioneers, September 2009, Lot 81 - $8,912.50; Steven A. Nomura. As PCGS XF45BN #38415387. "The Bellevue Collection," Heritage Auctions, January 8, 2020, Lot 3095 - $7,200; Daniel A. Demeo. S-49. Die State III. |
#7 PCGS XF40
"The Dean Oakes Family Collection," Stack's Bowers, February 3, 2026, Lot 25027 - $3,600. S-49. Die State V. |
#7 PCGS XF40
Quality Coins (Baltimore, MD), November 14, 1998; Colonel Steven K. Ellsworth. As PCGS XF40BN #15005057. "The Colonel Steven Ellsworth Collection of U.S. Large Cents, 1793-1796," Heritage Auctions, January 8, 2026, Lot 2054 - $5,856. S-49. Die State I. |
#7 PCGS XF40
"The Rafus - Type Set Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). |
The 1794 Liberty Cap Cent, Sheldon 49, Young Head
The reworked Obverse 21 die (previously seen on Sheldon 48 (#35705) returns here paired with a new reverse, Reverse X. While the rare S-48 pairing famously featured the "Star Reverse," that die failed early in production. Reverse X avoided a similar fate, proving far more durable; it was utilized across multiple pairings before its final deployment on Sheldon-54 (#35624).
Obverse Diagnostics
The obverse may appear in three distinct states:
- Perfect Die: Faint clashmarks. No die cracks.
- Cracked Die: A prominent, thick crack running from just right of the 12 o’clock position, through the letter E, and extending into Liberty’s hair.
- Cracked Die with Heavy Clashmarks and Die Bulge: Marks at Liberty's cap. Die bulge from rim to nose.
Reverse Diagnostics
The reverse is defined by its "Closed Wreath" design, characterized by:
- Foliage: Large leaves that fan outward; the tips of the leaves nearly touch, creating the "closed" effect.
- The Ribbon: At the base of the wreath, the ribbon is canted slightly to the right. The right ribbon end drapes downward, nearly reaching the fraction bar.
- The Knot: The two knots of the bow remain distinct and do not touch. Edge Detail: The design includes 83 dentils framed by 94 stars running along the perimeter.
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Regency XIX Preview | Legend Rare Coin Auctions | December 15, 2016
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