1798 1C S-156, Reverse of 1795, BN MS(PCGS#36005)

Spring 2026 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

2151

Grade

AG3BN

Price

2,160

Lot Description

Breen Die State II, late. A highly desirable offering for the advanced large cent variety collector, this is a wholesome, if well circulated example of the scarce Sheldon-156 pairing. The obverse retains a sharp date and LIBERTY, the portrait boldly outlined, and some sharper definition noted for Liberty's eye, mouth and several of the hair strands and drapery lines. The impression on that side is trivially off center to 8:30, the denticulation appreciably wider along the right border. The reverse shows no border denticulation and has some weakness in the peripheral legend, but most elements of the wreath are clear, and both expressions of the denomination are legible. Intermingled deep golden-brown and olive patina with a blush of rose at the letter F in OF. The surfaces are suitably tight for the assigned grade with scattered marks, an ancient scratch at the right obverse border the most useful for identification purposes. Given that an EAC grade of VG is sufficient to rank an example within the top 10 for the 1798 S-156 attribution, this straight-graded PCGS AG is also among the finer survivors obtainable in today's market.