1794 1C Short Bust, S-49, BN G6 PCGS #35609
Owner's Comments
Expert Comments
Charles Morgan
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.
* * *
Condition Census Learn More
#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. |
|
#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. |
#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. |