Which 1794 large cent is this?

ajia

I bought this a few years ago for about $150 & thought it was the common 'Head of 1794'.
For some reason I never really checked it out.
Lookin a the Redbook today I now think it might be a 'Head of 93'.
Any opinions?

Coin Finder

Sorry, its not a head of 93. Can you post the reverse?

ajia

Not as good as I'd like, but here's the rev.



Pictures in the Redbook aren't the greatest, but it looks to me that the cap position resembles 'Head of '93' more than 'Head of '94'.
Also the '4' is off the Bust on the '93, while nearly touching on the '94.
Maybe my Redbook (2006) is wrong?

LindeDad

Hook on curl is only on the 94 from what I just read. 2008 book

notwilight

The obv is a little too corroded for me to tell for sure and I didn't pull all the references. Maybe experts can see something I don't but it looks most likely to be an S-67, one of the transitions between the head of 1794 and 1795. R3. --Jerry

Coin Finder

The head of 93 die used the same punch as the 1793 liberty cap cent. This coin is a head of 1794 where there are many varieties from Sheldon 21 to Sheldon 72 as well 10 NC varieties.



I beleive this is a Sheldon 67 Rarity 3

rhedden

This is Sheldon-67, which I would say is rightfully considered a Head of '95 variety. The Red Book classification system that uses the shape of the lower curl is confusing! It is actually the overall shape of the portrait that determines which head it is (to me, anyway). There are other Head of '95 varieties without a prominent loop on the lower curl, like S-72.


Edited to add: Sheldon describes the final 6 obverse dies of 1794, including the obverse 34 used on S-67, as follows: "... the whole design is executed in a hard, inartistic style, as continued in 1795." Thus, I think we can safely say that this could be called a Head of '95. The S-72, which has a flat lower curl, is often known as the "exact head of '95." That goes to show that the shape of the lower curl is a bad diagnostic for the head type.

ajia

This is Sheldon-67, which I would say is rightfully considered a Head of '95 variety.

If so, then I guess it was worth the $150 (maybe less, it's been a while) as worth it.

Would you all suggest ANACS for grading?

Arizonadesertrat

No. An 18th-century coin will always find a buyer. Any coin that retails for less than $350-$400 is not worth the effort and expense to have graded and slabbed, IMHO.

ajia

Not looking to sell, yet!

More to protect, authenticate, and most importantly attribute the coin.

When the time does come to sell, I don't want to get into an arguement on what 'head' is on Liberties shoulders.

Since there are problems, PCGS & NGC are out.
Would ANACS be the next choice?

notwilight

No need to grade this coin. Authenticity isn't a problem and many buyers will likely just crack it out. The ANACS holder will have bad words on it like "corroded". We all no that but no use having to read it every time you look at your coin. --Jerry

Edit to answer your attribution question: you now have it, 3 of 3 responders called it S-67. Write that on the flip.

ajia

Thanks Everyone.

You all have shown the best part of these boards.