NNP

1793 1C Wreath, Lettered Edge, S-11c, B-16c, Low R.3, AU55 NGC. CAC. Breen Die State II. The Chain cents and most of the Wreath cents had a Vine and Bars edge consisting of vertical groves interspersed with vines that the late George E. Ewing, Jr. identified as cotton leaves and balls of cotton; however, this cataloger suggests they may have been strawberry vines. Near the end of Wreath cent production in July 1793, the edge device was changed to the first Lettered Edge with ONE HUNDRED FOR A DOLLAR followed by two leaves, and then the second Lettered Edge with the same inscription followed by a single leaf. The Lettered Edge type continued for all of the 1793 and 1794 Liberty Cap cents, and the earliest 1795 cents. Careful study of die states of the Lettered Edge Wreath cents reveals that the planchets were lettered before the coins were struck. We know this as examples of the two different edge types appear in all the documented die states for the die pair. Clash marks are visible below Liberty's chin. This lovely Choice AU Wreath cent is minutely off-center with the obverse border tight from 4 o'clock to 7 o'clock, and the reverse beads off the flan from 1 o'clock to 4 o'clock. The surfaces exhibit intermingled chocolate and olive-brown with faint verdigris, minimal handling marks, and a line of planchet lamination on the reverse through the ES in STATES to the first A in AMERICA. Although not recorded in the Bland Census, this piece would be tied for seventh finest in that list. Bill Noyes grades the coin VF20 and tied for 18th best in his roster. Our EAC grade VF30. Ex: "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate; Partnership of Eric P. Newman / B.G. Johnson d.b.a. St. Louis Stamp and Coin Co.; Eric P. Newman @ $90.00; Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society.

Heritage Newman IX, November 2017, lot 15066, realized $48000. Images and description courtesy of Heritage Auctions.