Two new early Large Cent acquisitions (including another 1796)

Was scrolling through ebay large cents and saw this one, which the seller called 1798. Immediately saved and remembered when it was ending. Placed a high bid and was floored when this finished at just $36 - I thought it would go way higher.




Should be obvious from the reverse that this isn’t a 1798, and the date should be decently clear as well that this isn’t a 1798. Indeed it is a 1796, Rev 94 S-106, an R-4+ variety. It’s a nice coin too! Sure the obverse might have a few too many hits for the grade but it’s about as nice of a planchet as you can get with the crappy Coltman blanks the Mint was using at that time (note a small amount of planchet roughness in the fields).

Any early copper collector knows how tough the 1796 Draped Bust cents are, and I’ve talked about them before. I started 2022 with zero 1796 cents, and now I have one 96 Cap and THREE 96 Busts!

I picked this one up a couple days later on a BIN for $40 + priority mail shipping:



This is an S-182, R-4 with what looks like VG sharpness. Sorry these are the best pics I could get, my lamp burned out and I need to get me a new one. I think I may sell this one but I’m not excited about the idea of parting with it.

Hope you enjoy these two very nice Large Cents.

 

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Congrats on the first one, but...

The second one sure looks like an 8. [1798]

 

It is indeed a 1798. Sharp details for one too.

 

Nice saw plenty of honest wear but no ground time. Tough for 18th c copper

 

I’ve never owned a 1796 large cent. Probably other than 1799 the only earlier date I haven’t had.

 

That is quite a grab, an S-106 for $36. Nice!