#1 PCGS MS65BN
William Strickland, taken to England from the United States Mint in 1794; Charles Winn (husband of Priscilla Strickland, son-in-law and cousin of William Strickland), by sale, 1834; Rowland Winn, 1st Baron St. Oswald of Nostell, by descent, 1874; Rowland Winn, 2nd Baron St. Oswald of Nostell, by descent, 1893; Rowland George Winn, 3rd Baron St. Oswald of Nostell, by descent, 1919; Rowland Denys Guy Winn, Major the Lord St. Oswald, M.C., by descent, 1957; “English, Foreign, and Important American Coins, the Property of Major the Lord St. Oswald, M.C.,” Christie, Manson, and Woods, Ltd., October 1964, Lot 151; New Netherlands Coin Company, November 1973, Lot 378. As "MS64." Stack's, January 2002, Lot 732 - $35,650; Superior Galleries, June 2002, Lot 2437; Chris McCawley, April 2003. As PCGS MS65BN #26772777. "The Paul Gerrie Collection," Goldberg Auctioneers, February 2013, Lot 33 - $189,750. S-57. Die State IV. |
#2 PCGS MS62BN
R.A Britton. As "Fine impression, perfectly even color and strictly uncirculated." Henry G. Sampson, February 1882, Lot 768 - $17.75. As "Fine olive color; uncirculated." "The Édouard Frossard Collection," Édouard Frossard, October 2, 1884, Lot 862 - $420 (sold as set of lots 850 to 900); T. Harrison Garrett, to Robert and John Work Garrett, 1888; Robert Garrett interest to John Work Garrett, 1919; transfer completed 1921; John Work Garrett to the Johns Hopkins University, by gift, 1942; John Hopkins University; "The Garrett Collection," Bowers & Ruddy, November 28, 1979, Lot 71 - ; Dr. Lloyd M. Higgins; Michael Rubin Rare Coins; Eric Streiner; Denis W. Loring, February 1992. As PCGS MS62BN #32982342. "The Tom Reynolds Collection," Goldberg Auctioneers, February 1, 2016, Lot 34 - $16,450; Greg Hannigan, August 13, 2023; Allen G. Rose. S-57. Die State III. |
#2 PCGS MS62BN
Willard C. Blaisdell, 1941. As "Uncirculated." J.S. Gensheimer, via private treaty. As "Extremely Fine." "The J.S. Gensheimer Collection," Stack’s, February 2, 1951, Lot 401 - $37.50; Willard C. Blaisdell, February 17, 1975; Del Bland; Myles Z. Gerson; Del Bland; Hanks & Associates; Robert Barrett; Hanks & Associates; Douglas F. Bird. As PCGS MS62BN #37588178. "The Douglas F. Bird Collection," Goldberg Auctioneers, February 16, 2020, Lot 20 - $21,000; Terry S. Denman. S-57. Die State V. |
#4 PCGS AU58BN
William Strickland, taken to England from the United States Mint in 1794; Charles Winn (husband of Priscilla Strickland, son-in-law and cousin of William Strickland), by sale, 1834; Rowland Winn, 1st Baron St. Oswald of Nostell, by descent, 1874; Rowland Winn, 2nd Baron St. Oswald of Nostell, by descent, 1893; Rowland George Winn, 3rd Baron St. Oswald of Nostell, by descent, 1919; Rowland Denys Guy Winn, Major the Lord St. Oswald, M.C., by descent, 1957; “English, Foreign, and Important American Coins, the Property of Major the Lord St. Oswald, M.C.,” Christie, Manson & Woods, Ltd., February 1992, Lot 283; Eric Streiner; Superior Galleries, October 1992, Lot 69 - $4,620; Anthony J. Terranova; Chris Victor-McCawley, September 15, 1997; Walter J. Husak; Chris Victor-McCawley; Roger Siboni; Superior Galleries, May 25, 2003, Lot 380 - Passed; Chris Victor-McCawley and Anthony J. Terranova, January 9, 2004. As PCGS AU58BN #13291625. "The Daniel W. Holmes, Jr. Collection," Goldberg Auctioneers, September 6, 2009, Lot 92 - $15,525; Walter J. Husak; Walter L. “Wally” Husak. S-57. Die State V. |
#5 PCGS AU53BN
"The Dr. George P. French Collection," B. Max Mehl, 1929 Fixed Price List, Lot 36 - Passed; T. James Clarke, 1944. As "About Uncirculed, sharp," B. Max Mehl, June 1945, Lot 1643 - $105; B. Max Mehl; B. Max Mehl, April 1949, lot 2305 - $82,50; R.E. "Ted" Naftzger, Jr.; John W. Adams. As "Extra Fine 45." "The Robinson S. Brown, Jr. Collection," Superior Galleries, September 1986, Lot 76 - $1,870; Julian Leidman. As "Extra Fine." Goldberg Auctioneers, September 2008, Lot 312; Walter J. Husak, September 20, 2008; Jon Alan Boka. As PCGS AU53BN #81232298. "The Jon Alan Boka Collection of 1794 Large Cents," Heritage Auctions, September 7, 2016, Lot 5342 - $10,575; Fred H. Borcherdt. S-57. Die State III. |
The name of this variety is attributed to Dr. Edward Maris. In his 1869 monograph, A Descriptive List of the Coins of Great Britain and Ireland, and his subsequent specialized work on 1794 cents, Maris utilized several quasi-medical terms to categorize the series. His research served as a catalyst for the surge in collector interest regarding the date and its many idiosyncratic die marriages.
More recently, large cent expert Bill Noyes described the obverse by the straight sweep of the hair on the left, which evokes a pyramidal shape. A key diagnostic for this die is the fifth lock of hair, which is severed at the tip; the date is evenly spaced. While some specimens exist with perfect dies, many exhibit a thin die crack extending toward Liberty’s mouth, which some collectors believe resembles a snake.
Reverse Die AA is adorned with seven large berries on each side of the wreath. Diagnostics include the lowest berry on the left, which touches the bottom of the bow loop, and the bottom leaf on the right, which points to and nearly touches the C in AMERICA. This remains a relatively common variety for the date.
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Regency XIX Preview | Legend Rare Coin Auctions | December 15, 2016
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