LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2008 February Long Beach Signature Coin #460  / 

2026

1794 1C Head of '94. AU50 PCGS. S-24, B-8, R.1.

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:4,750.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1794 1C Head of '94. AU50 PCGS. S-24, B-8, R.1.
<B>1794 1C Head of '94. AU50 PCGS. S-24, B-8, R.1. </B></I> <B>Noyes VF25; tied for CC-23. Photo #37541. Our EAC Grade VF35.<BR><BR>Equivalents. </B></I>Maris 12 (Scarred Head); Frossard 8; Doughty 32; Hays 17; McGirk 4-B; Ross 11-K; Chapman 8; EAC 8; <I>Encyclopedia </B></I>1657; PCGS #901374.<BR><B><BR>Variety. </B></I>The Apple Cheek; face has a full, rounded cheek. Numerator tall and resting on fraction bar. The obverse appears on S-24. The reverse appears on S-23 and S-24. Lettered Edge, leaf points up.<BR><B><BR>Surfaces. </B></I>Pleasing tan and darker brown on both sides. The obverse has a small rim bump across two dentils below the left side of the 4. The reverse has a shallow depression on the upper right corner of the right ribbon bow and a slight rim bruise over T of UNITED.<BR><B><BR>Die State V.</B></I> The obverse has two die cracks, through L to the head and right of 4 to the bust and neck. In later states, these two cracks join. Considerable die roughness is evident across the lower part of the obverse. The reverse has a minor central bulge, weakening ENT, which eventually becomes heavy, blotting out much of ONE CENT.<BR><B><BR>Census. </B></I>A common variety represented by six Mint State and a similar number of AU pieces. The census seems to drop quickly, with only about a dozen pieces grading VF30 to XF45.<BR><B><BR>Commentary. </B></I>Sheldon's father named S-24 the "Apple Cheek" variety. The cheek and hair details on this obverse are cut more deeply than usual, giving it a distinctive look that is popular with collectors today. The higher relief was also more susceptible to wear, resulting in flat areas of the obverse design, even with a brief time in circulation, as seen on this example.<BR><BR>James Davy offered to procure a supply of copper from England, specifically from Birmingham, available on better terms than copper from London. His Birmingham connection provides additional evidence of his familiarity with Boulton and Watt:<BR><BR> "As a considerable quantity of copper is now to be obtained in this country, it is of importance that rollers be erected on a much larger scale than now in use; such works would not only prepare metal for the Mint, in a better state than it now is, but also supply materials for various manufactories and trades which now are or hereafter may be established, and to the establishment of some of which such supply will greatly contribute, as buttons, buckles, etc., kitchen furniture, various utensils for manufactories, as copper pipes, furnaces, and mills, and also sheathing of bolts, for ship building. As such works however will require a considerable time before they can be accomplished, and an immediate supply will be required for the Mint, from a long residence and connections at Birmingham and an acquaintance with the best markets for copper, I can offer to procure it in a better state, and on better terms than it can be obtained in the London markets."<BR><BR><B>Provenance. </B></I><I>Western Numismatics; Douglas Bird; Gary Ruttenberg (McCawley & Grellman, 8/1996), lot 77, $3,500.</B></I><BR><BR><B>Personality. Albion Cox</B></I> was appointed first assayer of the Mint on April 4, 1794, and served faithfully for a short period until his death on December 1, 1795. He was born in England and came to the United States many years before his appointment. His involvement with the New Jersey coinage left him in debt, and he fled the country in 1787 or 1788 to avoid debtors prison. Cox was an unwilling participant in the "coinage impediment" when he and Henry Voigt were unable to meet the strict requirement of $10,000 bond. Mint Director Elias Boudinot noted that he was an intelligent officer and that the Mint was confined to production of cents until the vacancy was filled, which happened less than two weeks later, when Joseph Richardson was hired.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Coins & Currency (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
Sign In to Bookmark Lot