1794 1C Short Bust, S-49, BN MS(PCGS#35609)

1794 1C Short Bust, S-49, BN MS (PCGS#35609)

Spring 2026 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Lot Description: Heck DS2, Breen Die State I. A hard, satiny example bathed in warm, medium, walnut and olive-brown patina. The strike is well centered and otherwise sharp, mentionable softness confined to the upper reverse border, which is devoid of denticulation. The reverse is exceptionally smooth and well preserved, while for the obverse we note only a noncontiguous mark on Liberty's cheek and neck, as well as a light arcing scratch in the lower left field. As the rarity rating assigned by Noyes make clear, Sheldon-49 is a readily obtainable die marriage of the 1794 Liberty Cap cent issue in an absolute sense. This variety is conditionally challenged, however, and most of our finest offerings in recent years have been for coins certified in one of the four VF grades by PCGS or NGC. With the finest examples listed in the 2006 Noyes census grading EAC EF40 to MS60, this overall sharp, predominantly smooth and visually appealing PCGS AU-50 has much to recommend it to the advanced large cent variety collector.