Assistance with identifying the Sheldon variety of this 1794? Liberty Cap Large Cent
Davidk7
Posts: 545 ✭✭✭✭
I bought this on a whim to practice attributing Large Cents but have so far been unsuccessful. To me it looks like a head of 1794 but I can't even be too sure on that in this grade. I've seen some of these get attributed when I thought the coin was toast so I am deferring to the large cent gurus! Thanks in advance
Collector of Capped Bust Halves, SLQ's, Commems, and random cool stuff! @davidv_numismatics on Instagram
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Definitely a head of 1794.
Did not study it close yet but my gut impression is it could be a Sheldon-21 or 22, which are relatively common.
The PCGS site has an online book that can be of use in attributing. There may be other online sites that are better for attribution. The copper experts can likely identify this instantly.
I don't see a photo of the S-21 in the listing. Possibly a page missing.
Here is the S-22:
https://pcgs.com/books/earlycents/1794/14
"To Be Esteemed Be Useful" - 1792 Birch Cent --- "I personally think we developed language because of our deep need to complain." - Lily Tomlin
Without the date, and no distinctive die breaks and minimal reverse detail, it will be very difficult to attribute.
It’s not a Gardner Head or Head of 95, and almost certainly one of the earlier or middle Sheldon varieties, S-42, or earlier, but not a Head of 93, so after S-20.
Thanks guys for the insight. I thought I could use the exclusively the hair curls to figure this one out but I need more to go on personally. I'll check out the book posted and see if I can figure it out in the meantime.
Anyone figure this one out yet?
Collector of Capped Bust Halves, SLQ's, Commems, and random cool stuff! @davidv_numismatics on Instagram
The bottom hair curls are missing. LIBERTY, the letter spacings, and position and distance of the R and T relative to the forelocks provided the most clues, at least for me. On the reverse, the prominent dentils over the T are another clue.
It can certainly be narrowed further but I don’t have the patience right now.
My first thoughts were a 28/29 obverse. Looking at CoinFacts this seems to hold. If so...
...of the two reverses, looks like a possible 29 match- compare the insides of the ribbon loops and leaves under MERICA.
Maybe someone can do an overlay.
I agree with S-29 R-2. Pickup points I saw were the wide ME in AMERICA, cocked first T in STATES, and the high LIBERTY on the obverse.
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you" Matthew 6:33. Young fellow suffering from Bust Half fever.
BHNC #AN-10
JRCS #1606
I also agree it seems to match S-29, which has the same obverse die as S-28.
Using my old Penny Whimsy by Sheldon, the pickup points I noticed most before reading others posted here, were the distance between the peak of Liberty's hair and R in LIBERTY; the closeness of the reverse lettering to the dentils and what appears to be the long right ribbon end near 100.
Here is the page for the S-29 of the book I originally linked above:
https://pcgs.com/books/earlycents/1794/22
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And PCGS CoinFacts for the variety which has some slightly better ones than the OP.
https://pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1794-1c-head-s-29-ornate-bn/35552
"To Be Esteemed Be Useful" - 1792 Birch Cent --- "I personally think we developed language because of our deep need to complain." - Lily Tomlin
The only issue that deterred me previously from S29 is the area beneath the cap, where the upper pole should be, along with the gap or hole in the hair in the same area.
The lower pole on the S29 also looks quite a bit thinner than the OPs coin.
S29
S32
Thank you all! Gonna study these pickup points and additional examples
Collector of Capped Bust Halves, SLQ's, Commems, and random cool stuff! @davidv_numismatics on Instagram
Always happy to discuss large cents and try to help fellow copper enthusiasts!