Large Cents 1796 1C S-81 R3- Liberty Cap MS63 Brown PCGS

Large Cents
1796 1C S-81 R3- Liberty Cap MS63 Brown PCGS. Choice glossy steel brown and light chocolate with frosty lighter brown and tan faded down from mint color in protected areas. Looks mint state and the eye appeal of this cent is outstanding, but there is a trace of friction on the very highest points of the devices. Just a few marks including two tiny, very light scratches in the field left of the cap, a pre-striking planchet chip under the N in CENT, and some light scratches at ST. EDS, Breen state I, before any die cracks. The repunching at the bottom of the first 0 in the denominator is sharp. Graded AU55 net AU50 and tied for CC#2 in the Noyes census, his photo #34824. Bland says MS60 and CC#1. This cataloger's EAC grade is MS60. A beautiful 1796 Liberty Cap cent, and it comes with an impressive provenance. The attribution and COL Ellsworth Collection provenance are noted on the PCGS Gold Shield label (35750.63/13470529). The holder is scuffed on the obverse.
Ex Dr. George P. French 3/21/1929-B. Max Mehl 1929 Fixed Price List, lot 96 ($250)-T. James Clarke-Dr. William H. Sheldon-Dorothy I. Paschal 11/1975-Denis W. Loring-Ed Hipps (Ed's Coin & Stamp Shop)-Steve Ivy Numismatic Auctions (1980 ANA Convention Sale) 8/19/1980:944 ($8600)-Alan J. Prescott 2/1996-Denis W. Loring 2/1997-Allan J. Kollar, Superior held in association with McCawley & Grellman Auctions 5/29/2005:1016 ($55,200)-Walter J. Husak, Heritage Auctions 2/15/2008:2082 ($74,750)-COL Steven K. Ellsworth.

The 1980 American Numismatic Association Convention Auction, conducted by Steve Ivy Numismatic Auctions in Cincinnati, was a massive event of over 3,500 lots featuring material from more than 338 consignors. Early American copper formed a centerpiece of the second session, with a painstakingly assembled Eastern collection of large cents drawing special notice. Beginning with 1793 Chain and Wreath cents, the offering moved through Liberty Caps, Draped Busts, and early 19th-century issues, many in exceptional preservation. Noteworthy highlights included a Mint State 1794 cent graded MS67, a remarkable array of 1796 and 1797 varieties, and Condition Census examples from several key dates. The catalog emphasized originality and technical quality, with detailed attributions aided by Denis Loring of the Early American Coppers society.
Half cents complemented the large cent section with rare early die varieties, including 1793 and 1794 examples in strong grades and elusive overstrikes on Talbot, Allum & Lee tokens. Together, the coppers illustrated the scholarly and collector-driven focus of the sale, balancing die state study with eye appeal. Beyond copper, the auction also contained landmark rarities across gold, silver, and patterns-such as an extraordinary run of proof double eagles and over 200 patterns-yet the early coppers stood out as the most carefully curated and historically significant component. Realizing $7.6 million overall, the 1980 ANA sale set new benchmarks and remains a landmark reference for specialists in the field. www.HA.com/TexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice

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Certification number: PCGS 13470529