1794 1C Head of 1794, RB MS66RB Certification #-4854, PCGS #901375

CoinFacts Details

Owner's Comments

PCGS grade. Ex Major Sir Rowland Denys Guy Winn, M. C., 4th Baron St Oswald, Christie, Manson & Woods Ltd. (London) 10/1964:153-A. H. Baldwin & Sons, Ltd. (London)-Dorothy Paschal-Dr. William H. Sheldon 4/19/72-R. E. Naftzger, Jr., 2/23/92-Eric Streiner-Jay Parrino (The Mint) 4/16/96-Jack Wadlington (via Bob Grellman & Chris McCawley) 11/7/05.

Expert Comments

Charles Morgan

The "Three Heads" of 1794

The Liberty Cap Cent debuted at the end of 1793 and is the work of Robert Scot, who was appointed Chief Engraver of the United States Mint on November 23 of that year. Scot’s production process represented a significant advancement over the labor-intensive hand-engraving method used for the Chain and Wreath Cents. Rather than cutting each die individually by hand, Scot utilized a master hub to transfer the central image (Liberty’s portrait, her hair, the pileus (Liberty cap), and the pole) to the working dies. This same master image was also utilized for the Half Cents of the period. Minor variations in hair or cap detail between specific varieties typically resulted from the engraver hand-retouching the dies after the hubbing process.

Because this early hubbing process often produced imperfect image transfers, the engraver was required to finish each die by hand. This manual touch, combined with the hand-punching of dates and lettering, bestowed a unique character upon every die. Consequently, identifying early U.S. die varieties is often possible with the naked eye, whereas modern, machine-made varieties typically require high magnification to discern.

For the 1794-dated cents, three distinct head styles were employed:

The Head of 1793: A high-relief design carried over for varieties S-17 through S-20.
The Head of 1794: A lower-relief design that struck up more consistently; it encompasses the majority of the year’s production (S-21 through S-66, plus several Non-Collectible (NC) die marriages).
The Head of 1795: Notable for a stylistic change in Liberty’s hair, specifically the bottom curl looping upward. This style appears on varieties S-67 through S-72 and NC-2.

While the Head of 1794 represents the largest number of varieties and extant survivors, several specific die marriages within this group remain exceedingly rare.

1794 "Head of 1794" Varieties (Sheldon Numbers)

Pursuing a complete variety collection of 1794 Large Cents is among the most challenging endeavors for any devotee of early United States copper. Recently, prominent collectors Walter J. Husak and Al Boka championed this pursuit. The finest specimens of each variety have been intensely studied for decades, with many pedigrees tracing back to the late 19th century. Most notable are the well-preserved Mint State examples from the Lord St. Oswald Collection; these were purportedly acquired directly from the Mint in 1794 and remained in the family’s English estate until their landmark auction dispersal in 1964.

1794 1C S-21, Flat Pole (#35528) | Pole widens and flattens at its base; available in Mint State
1794 1C S-22, Bent Lock (#35531) | Bottom lock hooks sharply; available in Mint State
1794 1C S-23, Shattered Obverse (#35534) | Rare variety noted for its diagonal bisecting crack
1794 1C S-24 Apple Cheek (#35537) | Liberty's cheek shows a full, rounded appearance; Gem examples are available, with the finest recorded as a Superb Gem in Red Brown
1794 1C S-25, Severed Locks (#35540) | Unknown in Mint State
1794 1C S-26, Severed Locks (#35543) | Liberty's tresses and pronounced reverse die crack are key pick up points; two gems known
1794 1C S-27, Egeria (#35546) | Dr. Edward Maris named variety after Roman water nymph; unknown in Mint State
1794 1C S-28, Ornate Head (#35549) | Available in Mint State; "hotel find" is the finest known
1794 1C S-29, Ornate Head (#35552) | Lower locks terminate in a line, with a die crack running from the cap to the sixth lock; Mint State coins exist
1794 1C S-30, Marred Field (#35555) | Jagged mound behind hair, Liberty appears to smile; Mint State coins exist
1794 1C S-31, Marred Field (#35558) | Different obverse than S-61. Gem and Superb Gem Mint State coins known
1794 1C S-32, Venus Marina (#35561) | Beautiful execution of Liberty's portraits; available in Choice to Gem Mint State
1794 1C S-33, Wheel Spoke (#35564) | Thus called due to reverse die breaks; uknown finer than Very Fine
1794 1C S-34 (#35567) | Doubled fifth lock; fourth and sixth locks turn upward; rare
1794 1C S-35 (#35570) | Unknown in Mint State, census coins fall in the Extra Fine to About Uncirculated range
1794 1C S-36 (#35573) | Liberty sits low, nearly touching date; rare variety
1794 1C S-37, Steigerwalt (#35576) | Named after famous 19th-century collector; 2007 "Reunion" in St. Louis
1794 1C S-38, Marred Field (#35579) | Obverse field marred; single berry left of bow; One Mint State example known
1794 1C S-39, Marred Field (#35582) | Obverse field marred; unique pairing of Reverse N; About Uncirculated top pops
1794 1C S-40 (#35585) | Obverse field marred; bow high; Garrett and Lord St. Oswald examples in Mint State
1794 1C S-41, Abrupt Hair (#35588) | Locks at pole "abrupt"; narrow fraction bar
1794 1C S-42, Abrupt Hair (#35991) | Actually, first use of the S-41 obverse die. Pops top out at About Uncirculated
1794 1C S-43, Short Bust (#35594) | ANS example tops; rare in Mint State
1794 1C S-44, Short Bust (#35597) | Common short bust variety; Mint State examples known
1794 1C S-45, The Plicae (#35600) | Liberty's tresses thick; Scarce variety; Bushnell example tops pop
1794 1C S-46, Crossed E (#35603) | Diagonal die crack through E in CENT; MS examples known
1794 1C S-47, Short Bust (#35606) | Rare variety; ANS example (About Uncirculated) is finest known
1794 1C S-48, Starred Reverse (#35705) | Rare and coveted; unknown in Mint State
1794 1C S-49 (#35609) | Reworked obverse from S-48; About Uncirculated examples top the pops
1794 1C S-50, Young Head (#35612) | Rare variety, gaps between LI, BE, RTY; unknown in Mint State
1794 1C S-51, Long Locks (#35615) | Scarce variety; census tops out in About Uncirculated
1794 1C S-52, Coquette (#35618) | 1 & 7 set far apart; rare variety unknown in high grade
1794 1C S-53, Severed Locks (#35621) | Severed 6th and hooked bottom lock; rare variety
1794 1C S-54, Slanting 7 (#35624) | canted digit; About Uncirculated examples top PCGS pops.
1794 1C S-55, Big Berries (#35627) | Bold beautiful berries; scarce in Mint State
1794 1C S-56, Office Boy Reverse (#35630) | Amateurish lettering; Garrett tops Mint State census
1794 1C S-57, Pyramidal Hair (#35633) | Lord St. Oswald Gem leads known Mint State examples
1794 1C S-58, Many-Haired (#35636) | Liberty's "clumpy" hair defines variety; rare in Mint State
1794 1C S-59, Many-Haired (#35639) | Two Gems from the Lord St. Oswald Collection (one in Red Brown!)
1794 1C S-60, Patagonian (#35642) | Mint State Lord St. Oswald example is sole finest.
1794 1C S-61, Patagonian (#35645) | Milton Holmes examples in Mint State Red Brown is sole finest.
1794 1C S-62, Trephined Head (#35648) | Commonly found with cud at 9 o'clock; rare in Mint State
1794 1C S-63, Fallen 4 (#35651) | Misplaced 9 gives 4 a fallen appearance; rare in Mint State
1794 1C S-64, No Fraction Bar (#35708) | Easily identified; Mint State examples known in Brown and a single Red Brown
1794 1C S-65, Shielded Hair (#35654) | Thickly cut denticles protect hair; Choice Mint State examples known
1794 1C S-66, Split Pole (#35657) | Scarce variety; die crack "splits" pole at its base.

"Non-Collectible" (NC) Varieties

* * *

PCGS #

901375

Designer

Attributed to Robert Scot

Edge

Lettered: ONE HUNDRED FOR A DOLLAR

Diameter

28.00 millimeters

Weight

13.48 grams

Mintage

918521

Metal

Copper

Pop Higher

Pop Lower

Region

The United States of America

Price Guide

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - NGC Graded

Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity by Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity by Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	10	R-9.5	5 / 5	5 / 6
All Grades	10	R-9.5	5 / 5	5 / 6
60 or Better	5	R-9.7	5 / 5	5 / 6

Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.
65 or Better	10
All Grades	10
60 or Better	5

Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.
65 or Better	R-9.5
All Grades	R-9.5
60 or Better	R-9.7

Relative Rarity by Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	5 / 5
All Grades	5 / 5
60 or Better	5 / 5

Relative Rarity by Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	5 / 6
All Grades	5 / 6
60 or Better	5 / 6

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	PCGS MS67RB	Lincoln Seagrave. As "Uncirculated." Henry and S. Hudson Chapman, February 1903, Lot 1197 – $27.50; Allison W. Jackman; Allison W. Jackman Estate, 1917; “The Allison W. Jackman Collection,” Henry Chapman, June 1918, Lot 695 – $78; Samuel Hudson Chapman; Henry C. Hines; Dr. William H. Sheldon; R.E. “Ted” Naftzger, Jr.; “The R.E. “Ted” Naftzger, Jr. Collection,” by sale, en bloc, February 1972; Eric Streiner, by sale, en bloc, via Stack’s, February 1992; Jay Parrino. As PCGS MS67RB #2368146. Marketed by Jay Parrino in undated (early 1990s) catalog for $175,000; Goldberg Auctioneers, October 2000, Lot 1397; Superior Galleries, May 2003, Lot 365 – $92,000; Oliver Jung; “The Oliver Jung Collection,” American Numismatic Rarities, July 2004, Lot 8 – $126,500; “Oliver Jung Collection,” Heritage Auctions, August 7, 2014, Lot 5524 – $352,500; As PCGS MS67RB #32189885. D. Brent Pogue Family; “The D. Brent Pogue Collection, Part V,” Stack’s Bowers / Sotheby’s, March 31, 2017, Lot 5095 – $446,500. S-24. Die State V.
2	PCGS MS66RB	Discovered in Europe; Lester Merkin, March 1968, Lot 166; R.E. "Ted" Naftzger, Jr., February 23, 1992; Eric Streiner; Jay Parrino (The Mint)' "The Tom Morley Collection," Superior Galleries, January 31, 1994, Lot 780; Anthony J. Terranova; Thomas D. Reynolds and Chris McCawley; Dr. Thomas Turissini, May 2, 2014. As PCGS MS66RB #20383874. "The Collections of Walter J. Husak and The Liberty Cap Foundation," Heritage Auctions, January 4, 2024, Lot 2036 - $156,000. S-46. Die State I.
2	PCGS MS66RB	Discovered at an upstate New York coin show about 1959; Richard Picker; C. Douglas Smith; Louis Helfenstein. As "Gem Uncirculated." “The Louis Helfenstein Collection,” Lester Merkin, August 1964, Lot 4 – $3,000; Dr. James McCleery; "The Dr. James McCleery Collection" to Stack’s, by sale, en bloc, via Lester Merkin; Unknown Intermediaries; Kevin Lipton to Anthony Terranova; R.E. "Ted" Naftzger, Jr.; "The R.E. “Ted” Naftzger, Jr. Collection" to Eric Streiner, by sale, en bloc, via Stack’s, February 1992; Jay Parrino. As PCGS MS66RB. Bowers and Merena, January 1999, Lot 1019 – $57,500; Lawrence Stack; "The Lawrence Stack Type Set" acquired by the Pogue Family via sale, en bloc, January 2003. As PCGS MS66RB #32189848. “The D. Brent Pogue Family Collection, Part V,” Stack’s Bowers / Sotheby’s, March 31, 2017, Lot 5096 – $211,500. S-26. Subsequent to the publication of Penny Whimsy, Dr. William H. Sheldon called the pieces "unsurpassable." Cupious red remains on both sides.
2	PCGS MS66RB	"The George Seavey Collection," William H. Strobridge, June 1873, Lot 221; Lorin G. Parmelee purchased the Seavey Collection intact before its public sale. As "sharp, uncirculated impression; dull red color." "The Lorin G. Parmelee Collection," New York Coins & Stamp Co., June 1890, Lot 686 – $21; J.F. Anger. As "Uncirculated. Original red lustre shading to light olive." "The John G. Mills Collection," Samuel Hudson and Henry Campman, April 1904, Lot 1238 – $36. As "Uncirculated.... Pale, reddish steel color, partly original red." "The George H. Earle., Jr. Collection," Henry Chapman, June 1912, Lot 3376 – $48; Purchased by John H. Clapp; "The John H. Clapp Collection" sold, en bloc, to Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr., via Stacks. As "MS65." “The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection,” Bowers & Merena, May 22, 1996, Lot 492 – $34,100; Anthony Terranova; Stack’s, September 2005, Lot 473 – $120,750. As PCGS MS66RB #4464327. ‘The Madison Collection,” Heritage Auctions, January 10, 2008, Lot 2667 – $195,500; Heritage Auctions, April 2009, Lot 2034 – $126,500; Heritage Auctions, April 25, 2013, Lot 4116 – $205,625. S-26. Die State VII.
5	PCGS MS65+RB	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 150 – $2,100; Stack’s; Dorothy Paschal; Dr. William Sheldon; R.E. “Ted” Naftzger, Jr.; R.E. “Ted” Naftzger, Jr. Collection, by sale, en bloc, April 1972; Eric Streiner, by sale, en bloc, via Stack’s, February 23, 1992; Jay Parrino. As NGC MS66RB. Superior Stamp & Coin Company, September 1997, Lot 38 – $44,000; Dr. Allen Bennett; Walter J. Husak; “The Walter J. Husak Collection,” by sale, January 1998. As PCGS MS65RB #13457922. “The Walter J. Husak Collection,” Heritage Auctions, February 2008, Lot 2059 – $103,500. D. Brent Pogue Family. As PCGS MS65RB #32189849. “The D. Brent Pogue Family Collection, Part V”, Stack’s Bowers / Sotheby’s, March 31, 2017, Lot 5098 – $164,500; Heritage Auctions, January 4, 2024, Lot 2051 - $120,000; As PCGS MS65+RB #32189849. Steve Contursi. S-57. Die State VI.

#1 PCGS MS67RB

Lincoln Seagrave. As "Uncirculated." Henry and S. Hudson Chapman, February 1903, Lot 1197 – $27.50; Allison W. Jackman; Allison W. Jackman Estate, 1917; “The Allison W. Jackman Collection,” Henry Chapman, June 1918, Lot 695 – $78; Samuel Hudson Chapman; Henry C. Hines; Dr. William H. Sheldon; R.E. “Ted” Naftzger, Jr.; “The R.E. “Ted” Naftzger, Jr. Collection,” by sale, en bloc, February 1972; Eric Streiner, by sale, en bloc, via Stack’s, February 1992; Jay Parrino. As PCGS MS67RB #2368146. Marketed by Jay Parrino in undated (early 1990s) catalog for $175,000; Goldberg Auctioneers, October 2000, Lot 1397; Superior Galleries, May 2003, Lot 365 – $92,000; Oliver Jung; “The Oliver Jung Collection,” American Numismatic Rarities, July 2004, Lot 8 – $126,500; “Oliver Jung Collection,” Heritage Auctions, August 7, 2014, Lot 5524 – $352,500; As PCGS MS67RB #32189885. D. Brent Pogue Family; “The D. Brent Pogue Collection, Part V,” Stack’s Bowers / Sotheby’s, March 31, 2017, Lot 5095 – $446,500. S-24. Die State V.

#2 PCGS MS66RB

Discovered in Europe; Lester Merkin, March 1968, Lot 166; R.E. "Ted" Naftzger, Jr., February 23, 1992; Eric Streiner; Jay Parrino (The Mint)' "The Tom Morley Collection," Superior Galleries, January 31, 1994, Lot 780; Anthony J. Terranova; Thomas D. Reynolds and Chris McCawley; Dr. Thomas Turissini, May 2, 2014. As PCGS MS66RB #20383874. "The Collections of Walter J. Husak and The Liberty Cap Foundation," Heritage Auctions, January 4, 2024, Lot 2036 - $156,000. S-46. Die State I.

#2 PCGS MS66RB

Discovered at an upstate New York coin show about 1959; Richard Picker; C. Douglas Smith; Louis Helfenstein. As "Gem Uncirculated." “The Louis Helfenstein Collection,” Lester Merkin, August 1964, Lot 4 – $3,000; Dr. James McCleery; "The Dr. James McCleery Collection" to Stack’s, by sale, en bloc, via Lester Merkin; Unknown Intermediaries; Kevin Lipton to Anthony Terranova; R.E. "Ted" Naftzger, Jr.; "The R.E. “Ted” Naftzger, Jr. Collection" to Eric Streiner, by sale, en bloc, via Stack’s, February 1992; Jay Parrino. As PCGS MS66RB. Bowers and Merena, January 1999, Lot 1019 – $57,500; Lawrence Stack; "The Lawrence Stack Type Set" acquired by the Pogue Family via sale, en bloc, January 2003. As PCGS MS66RB #32189848. “The D. Brent Pogue Family Collection, Part V,” Stack’s Bowers / Sotheby’s, March 31, 2017, Lot 5096 – $211,500. S-26. Subsequent to the publication of Penny Whimsy, Dr. William H. Sheldon called the pieces "unsurpassable." Cupious red remains on both sides.

#2 PCGS MS66RB

"The George Seavey Collection," William H. Strobridge, June 1873, Lot 221; Lorin G. Parmelee purchased the Seavey Collection intact before its public sale. As "sharp, uncirculated impression; dull red color." "The Lorin G. Parmelee Collection," New York Coins & Stamp Co., June 1890, Lot 686 – $21; J.F. Anger. As "Uncirculated. Original red lustre shading to light olive." "The John G. Mills Collection," Samuel Hudson and Henry Campman, April 1904, Lot 1238 – $36. As "Uncirculated.... Pale, reddish steel color, partly original red." "The George H. Earle., Jr. Collection," Henry Chapman, June 1912, Lot 3376 – $48; Purchased by John H. Clapp; "The John H. Clapp Collection" sold, en bloc, to Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr., via Stacks. As "MS65." “The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection,” Bowers & Merena, May 22, 1996, Lot 492 – $34,100; Anthony Terranova; Stack’s, September 2005, Lot 473 – $120,750. As PCGS MS66RB #4464327. ‘The Madison Collection,” Heritage Auctions, January 10, 2008, Lot 2667 – $195,500; Heritage Auctions, April 2009, Lot 2034 – $126,500; Heritage Auctions, April 25, 2013, Lot 4116 – $205,625. S-26. Die State VII.

#5 PCGS MS65+RB

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 150 – $2,100; Stack’s; Dorothy Paschal; Dr. William Sheldon; R.E. “Ted” Naftzger, Jr.; R.E. “Ted” Naftzger, Jr. Collection, by sale, en bloc, April 1972; Eric Streiner, by sale, en bloc, via Stack’s, February 23, 1992; Jay Parrino. As NGC MS66RB. Superior Stamp & Coin Company, September 1997, Lot 38 – $44,000; Dr. Allen Bennett; Walter J. Husak; “The Walter J. Husak Collection,” by sale, January 1998. As PCGS MS65RB #13457922. “The Walter J. Husak Collection,” Heritage Auctions, February 2008, Lot 2059 – $103,500. D. Brent Pogue Family. As PCGS MS65RB #32189849. “The D. Brent Pogue Family Collection, Part V”, Stack’s Bowers / Sotheby’s, March 31, 2017, Lot 5098 – $164,500; Heritage Auctions, January 4, 2024, Lot 2051 - $120,000; As PCGS MS65+RB #32189849. Steve Contursi. S-57. Die State VI.