Realcent.org

I was digging through a big bowl of world coins at an antique shop. $1 each, so I'm not gonna get very many. But I am on vacation, so why not take my time and look through the whole bowl. Glad I did. I was almost to the bottom of the bowl, and found a 1794 U.S. large cent. Poor condition, but... it's clearly a Liberty Cap variety. And it's clearly got the edge lettering. And the 4 is visible.

What is the ABSOLUTE LEAST you would think I could get for this? It's not bent. Not holed. Just very worn. About 2/3 of the rim is visible on the obverse. Ghosts of reverse design.

First attempt to get my iPhone to take extreme-closeup pics. Not great, but here's the find:

Nice! I'll bid $1.50

That is an awesome pick!

Catalog is $140 in FR2 (Fair) for the cheapest variety.

You should auction it off here.

Pic added. Opinions?

Do you have a photo of the reverse? If your cent is a rare variety it could be worth multiples of the common variety price. Do you know anyone who could attribute it by Sheldon variety. I think the Starred Reverse is the most valuable 1794 cent.

In any case, it's a great find. Congratulations!

Thanks. Without good light and better magnification, it won't be possible to attribute more specifically - at least not by me. The reverse is almost completely smooth. The reverse pics I've taken so far didn't show the miniscule details which were left, so I didn't bother posting them. I suppose it's possible for a Sheldon-trained expert to see if it's a starred reverse... One could hope.
As for the obverse, I would like to re-learn a little of what I once knew about the so-called "obverse of 93, 94, 95..."

I took it in to a local shop down here in SC, and he said it's "definitely a 94, a net AG, with a weak reverse. It's about a $75 coin."

the AG grade seems a bit generous but still a sweet score for $1

Yeah, I told him I thought of it as a FAIR obverse and POOR reverse. He showed me the latest grey sheet with a low-end price of $75. I don't know what grade that price was connected to.

WOW. Nice score.

That's cool!!!!

http://numismedia.com/fmv/prices/lrgcnt/pricesgd.shtml


1794 Head of 1794 BN lists G4 at $540. Its numismedia so you subtract 30% so that puts you at $378 Your coin is prob rated an AG1 so you probable have to take another 60% off or so. That puts it at about $150. Not sure if you could get that high but thats what numis media says.

Finally got a chance to dig out my books at try to attribute it. I'm having trouble telling for sure if it's the head of 1794 or 1795. On the 94 head, there is a loop in the lowest curl to the left of the "1" in the date. On the 1795 head, the lowest lock has no curl, but comes to a point that points straight down. From the photo, it appears to be a head of 1794. Next, I notice that the pole doesn't extend past the bust and that the "4" in the date is high and has a wide space compared to the "9" in date. That elimates a lot of varieties (including the "starred reverse"). That would leave the following head of 94 varieties: Sheldon 67, 69 or 70. The Sheldon 71 is a head of 95 variety. Looking at the "L" in LIBERTY, I think I see a space between the liberty cap and the "L". If the "L" touched the cap, it could be S67 or S70. With the space, I think you have either S69 or S70. They both share the same obverse die, so checking the reverse would be the only way to know for sure. That would entail checking/counting berries in the wreath and the number of leaves, etc. Both are common varieties so the attribution wouldn't affect the price. If you do get someone to look at it in-hand and attribute it I would be interested to know if I was in the ballpark on my attribution!! Again, thanks for sharing a really cool find!

As to value, I agree with Highroller. If I owned the coin I wouldn't let it go for less than $100. Should be able to get that easily on Ebay.

John! Thanks!!!

John Reich wrote:...On the 94 head, there is a loop in the lowest curl to the left of the "1" in the date. On the 1795 head, the lowest lock has no curl, but comes to a point that points straight down.

I will try to hook up the scanner to a different computer. The one it was on kinda fried. But I can't easily see anything there.

John Reich wrote:...That elimates a lot of varieties (including the "starred reverse").

Good to be able to know, even if it means knowing it's the "cheaper" one.

John Reich wrote:...Looking at the "L" in LIBERTY, I think I see a space between the liberty cap and the "L". If the "L" touched the cap, it could be S67 or S70. With the space, I think you have either S69 or S70.

Definitely a space next to the L.

John Reich wrote:...They both share the same obverse die, so checking the reverse would be the only way to know for sure. That would entail checking/counting berries in the wreath and the number of leaves, etc.

Not gonna work. It's quite smooth. There are only GHOSTS of any details left.

John Reich wrote:...If you do get someone to look at it in-hand and attribute it I would be interested to know if I was in the ballpark on my attribution!!

I'm wondering how many people could have done as much as you have already done, even if they had the coin in hand! Basically, with S69 or S70, we're talking about one of the most common varieties of 1794, right?

That's a nice find! Love the large cents. Congrats!

The S 69 & s 70 are some of the more common 1794 varieties. The photos in my Sheldon book are very poor quality. I use a copy of Bill Noyes' book: United States Large Cents-1793 to 1814 to attribute early cents. The photos are very high quality, on glossy paper & fill the pages--it's a great book!