1797 Draped Bust Cent. S-135. Rarity-3+. Reverse of 1797, Stems to Wreath. MS-64 BN (PCGS). CAC.This gorgeous near-Gem would do equally well in a high grade type set or specialized early copper collection. Both sides are boldly to sharply defined within uniformly denticulated borders. The texture is satiny and subtle semi-reflectivity in the fields enhances the coins appeal. Warm autumn-brown patina and pretty gold and apricot undertones complete the lovely picture. Overall smooth in hand and a delight to behold, a faint carbon spot in the lower left obverse field is mentioned solely as an identifying feature.<p>Many of the Mint State 1797 large cents known today stem from the Nichols Find, a hoard of large cents that came into the publics eye in the early 1860s when David Nichols of Gallows Hill (Salem), Massachusetts began selling the find to coin dealers and collectors. The hoard reportedly originated with Senator Benjamin Goodhue who presented the cents to his daughters "in 1797 or early 1798" (according to Breens <em>Encyclopedia</em>, 1988). Among 1797-dated cents in the hoard were representative examples of the varieties S-122, S-123, S-135 as here, S-136, and S-137. It is indeed probable that the pristine beauty offered here once passed through the hands of David Nichols. Any Mint State Draped Bust cent is both a thing of beauty and a rarity within the series. Strong bids are suggested on this beautiful 1797 S-135 cent.<p>PCGS Population (all die marriages of the Reverse of 1797, Stems to Wreath variety): 35; 12 finer in this category (MS-66 BN finest).
