This is an unattributed S-47. An interesting bit of trivia about this variety is that it shares the obverse of the S-48 starred reverse and was produced after the first starred reverse die states, but before the later starred reverse die states. An interesting note on this coin is it shares the same edge error "One Hundred A Dollar" with one of those starred reverses which is mentioned in Breen. R4 by the way. http://www.ebay.com/itm/320749700893?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1431.l2649
Thanks for the tip, Marshal. It is a little too rough for me, but it is tempting as I have no R-4 1794 cents. The seller does not ship to Europe though. Sorry if I deviate a little from your thread, but what do you think of this-103? http://www.ebay.com/itm/1796-LIHERT...50?pt=Coins_US_Individual&hash=item3a6987c186 I have been following it for a few days now, and for the life of me I really cannot tell enough from the pictures to be able to attribute it as S-103. The "LIHERTY" is just not clear....The seller also claims it is R-6! 20 years ago maybe, nowadays is it recognized as bein R-4+. (Again, sorry for this O.T)
The doublet leaves under ME make the Reverse S a simple call. The trick is whether it's Obverse 11, 12 or 13. The HWH is under the upright of the R so that eliminates Obverse 12. The Photo just isn't good enough for me to tell whether it's 11 or 13, though it is good enough for me to think it would be identifiable in hand. The alternative (S-101) is actually rarer (R5-) than the LIHERTY variety, though it doesn't carry the 'redbook' type premium. I don't think the variety has carried an R6 rating since Penny Whimsey was published. The CQR he has looked at must either be in error or an original copy. The planchet appears nice though.
I would say it definitely is S-103. As Marshall says the reverse is easy to identify and the highest wave of the hair eliminates S-102. Check me on this Marshall. Note the notch where the truncation of the bust meets the hair wave. On S-101 it is over the left side of the 7. On 103 it is between the 1 and the 7. On this coin it sure looks to me like it is between the 1 and the 7. Also the top right corner of that B sure looks like the "H". I like the S-47 but I don't expect it to stay affordable which is a shame because I don't have one.
I can't see it well, but I think you're right on the notch between the 1 and 7. By the way, oddly enough, there is another S-47 which is sharp, but heavily corroded. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1794-Large-Cent-VF-Details-/180714767444?pt=Coins_US_Individual&hash=item2a13708454
The S-103 closed at a bit over $ 1000. Difficult to say, for me at least, whether the price is about right, too high, or an excellent deal - at least not with the pictures provided. The high bidder at least thought it was worth that much.
I can't for the life of me figure out why it went that high. Much nicer examples have sold in the $400-$600 range within the last two years. It pulled 10+ money in AG. This is for R4+ by the way. Perhaps two bidders thought it was really R6.
That would be my guess, the buyer believed the R-6 rarity. The second S-47 had already closed by the time I saw your message. The first one is still running cheaper though than what the second one brought.
