https://www.ebay.com/itm/232172274252 This auction ends on Wednesday. I believe this coin to be an S-20 which is still rare but a S-20A would be sweet. I cannot tell which direction the leaf is points. It's way out of my finances either way.
Ha ha. This is ironic. I just asked about the 1794 NC-7 which is the S-20a. It is apparently unique and the edge was restruck with both designs but I can't find any pictures of it. The listing you posted shows the edge and looks like the standard edge you would expect on S-20B but I don't know honestly because I can't find pictures of the S-20a aka NC-7.
When I look at the edge photo, it looked weird to me. Just past the leaf looks like other letters but before the ONE? I wish I could see photos of the 20A edge.
More than likely this is a S-20b with the Edge II of 1794 with point an stem of leaf pointing up. The sole S-20a was discovered in 1961 and it seems no others have ever been discovered. It is very likely that it will stay that way. This site has good pictures of both types of edge devices: http://www.1794largecents.com/1794/collection.htm
Thanks Eduard, that's a great site and I just bookmarked it. The S-20 has always been one of my favorite 1794's. I just don't have the funds to buy one. The last 2 auctions of the s-20B have been $1500 and up. Maybe someday.
I hope your are successful in your search, Moekeever. Finding an example without major defects is a challenge, not to speak of the prices these coins attract. I like the Heads of 1793 as they are a distinctive type, and would like to add a presentable example to my collection. I regret not looking for one more actively 20-25 years ago or so when they were more affordable. The only example I own of a head of '93 is this S-18b. I grade it Fair 2, with the date and only 5% of the reverse visible, and only in ghost form. Very low grade but smooth surfaces (not a common thing with the heads of '93), and as such I think I was lucky to get it for the price I paid for it ($140 or so).
A key difference between the Edge of 93 and the Edge of 94 when the direction of the leaf is uncertain is the length of the right side of the R. It is noticeably longer on the edge of 94 than on the Edge of 93. On this example, the long R makes it the Edge of 94 or the S-20 or the S-20b if you call the NC-7 the S-20a. Another difference is the length of the bottoms of the Ls. The Edge of 93s are noticeably shorter than the Edge of 94s. However; the NC-7 (S-20a), actually has both edge devices so if you could find a second edge of 93, it would be the second one known. I personally believe it is a mint error when an old coin or planchet with the old edge was run through the normal process during the making of the S-20s. If the known coin was in better shape, it might show an undertype of an older variety. ps I'm having problems reposting when I try to edit.
Thanks for all the responses. This coin just sold for over $8550. Serious money for an uncertified coin.
