I thought I'd continue the Large Cent series by posting this coin I just put on layaway. Take your shots a attribution and then give an opinion of value.
Upon comparing with examples on this website: http://www.1794largecents.com/1794/collection.htm it appears that it might be S-45 (based on the shape of the ribbon loops, the blob of metal inside the left ribbon loop, and the orientation of the three berries relative to each other nearest the "R" in "America"), which the website says is an R.5+ variety. I'm guessing that would make the coin worth several hundred dollars in this condition?
I think you are correct, NSP. A cursory look points toward S-45, R-5+. Breen says 'lump in left bow'. There does appear to be something like it there. A very scarce coin. It shares the same reverse with NC-5.
Not sure myself and don't want to dig the books out, but I always like reading your posts and what you find.
That's what I came up with. I would have grossly overpaid if it turned out to not be that. The value is subjective of course and PMD at the date and key attribution point ("berry" in the left loop) reduces value. But I think I'll be happy with it. This Reverse has no common counterpart pairing with the only other pairing being the NC-5 with two known (last I heard anyway). Heritage Archive show two without images selling for $460 in the 90s with the rest higher and usually better. In an amusing aside, I once again am encountering rarity in pairs. I have the high bid (which I fully anticipate losing) in a Heritage auction on another S-45 at this time. My budget rarely lets me win a Heritage Auction, though that's how I won my 1797 NC-5 with 2 holes.
I actually used alternative diagnostics than the "berry" in the loop because I felt it could be PMD. But the location of berries to leaves, leaves to letters, letters to dentils and the tail tell evidence of the crack through O(NE) gives me confidence in the attribution. Thank you for the independent look and attributions. The power of suggestion often interferes with objectivity. PS The one on the left sold for $100,000, The one on the right was purchased for $300.
I think for the price you paid you will be very happy with it. There is something special about a scarce or rare early cent die pairing.
While it's been awhile, I finally received the S-45 after a three month layaway. It looks much sharper in the copper than in the photos. While there is definite environmental damage, it isn't as severe as the photos. But now I have a new question which really intrigues me. The leaf following DOLLAR is appears to be pointing downward like the edge of 93. Was that edge reintroduced after the S-20 and just not mentioned? I wish it weren't entombed by PCGS, but at least most of the edge can be seen, The leaf is just visible. It makes a photo quite difficult, but I might try anyway.
This is my attempt to cature the edge of the S-45. The better images are more in line with an edge of 94 while the fuzzy one approximates my tired old eyes and looks more like the edge of 93. The photos came out better than I hoped.
