1793 Flowing Hair Cent. Chain Reverse. S-3. Rarity-3-. AMERICA, Without Periods. AU-55 (PCGS). CAC.<strong>Type:</strong> Flowing Hair, Chain Reverse.<p><strong>Design:</strong> Obv: A head of Liberty with flowing hair faces right, the word LIBERTY inscribed along the upper border and the date 1793 at the lower border. Rev: A chain of 15 links encircles two expressions of the denomination, ONE CENT and 1/100. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is around the border.<p><strong>Weight Standard:</strong> 13.48 grams.<p><strong>Diameter:</strong> Approximately 26 to 27 mm.<p><strong>Die Variety:</strong> Sheldon-3, Breen-4. Obv: The popular Leaning R variety of the issue with the letter R in LIBERTY large and leaning to the right. Both the letters in LIBERTY and the digits in the date are irregular in size and position. This is the only use of this obverse die. Rev: The word AMERICA in the legend is spelled out in full, as opposed to abbreviated as AMERI. as on the reverse of the Sheldon-1 variety. The fraction bar in the denomination 1/100 is high and touching the base of the numerator 1, the digits in the denomination are evenly spaced, but both 0s are low. The letters MER in AMERICA are high. This is the workhorse reverse of the 1793 Chain cent issue, and it was also used in the S-2, S-4 and NC-1 pairings.<p>Along with S-2 and NC-1, Sheldon-3 corresponds to the AMERICA, Without Periods <em>Guide Book</em> variety of the 1793 Chain cent.<p><strong>Die State:</strong> Noyes B/C, Breen III. Obv: Heavy double clash marks from the chain motif on the reverse are evident in the field below the truncation of the bust, as well as in front of Libertys neck, mouth and nose. Rev: Lightly flowlined between the letters in the legend and the border, field also rough inside the words UNITED STATES OF.<p>Edge: Ornamented with bars and a slender vine with leaves.<p><strong>Mintage:</strong> The accepted mintage for the 1793 Chain cent as an issue is 36,103 coins. Mintage for the Sheldon-3 variety is thought to comprise part or all of the following deliveries:<p>-March 2: 2,009 coins (includes NC-1)<p>-March 4: 4,000 coins<p>-March 5: 3,765 coins<p>-March 6: 1,573 coins<p>-March 8: 7,000 (includes S-4) <p><strong>Estimated Surviving Population for the Die Variety:</strong> Rarity-3-: 401 to 500 coins in all grades.<p><strong>Strike:</strong> Very well defined for the type, a bit soft over and around Libertys ear, as so often seen on Chain cents even in higher grades, but all other details are exceptionally sharp.<p><strong>Surfaces:</strong> Rich chocolate brown with lighter autumn-brown around the devices where the mint color was last to fade. The surfaces are smooth and glossy, very attractive, faint luster remains on the reverse. A minor planchet fissure (as made) is noted in the right obverse field just past 3 oclock, tiny natural pits on the reverse under the letters NI in UNITED, after the D in the same word, and individually elsewhere. The planchet is nice for the issue, nonetheless. Tiny edge nick is well hidden on the obverse at 8 oclock, horizontal hairline on Libertys cheek, but otherwise this piece is notably free of significant handling marks or other detractions. The aesthetic appeal is excellent overall.<p><strong>Commentary: </strong>Our consignor selected this lovely coin to represent the AMERICA, Without Periods <em>Guide Book</em> variety of the 1793 Chain cent. Sheldon-3 is the most frequently encountered of the five known die marriages of the issue, but few collectors ever get to own one of this quality. Conditionally rare for both the type and die pairing, this coin would serve with distinction in an advanced cabinet.PCGS# 1341. NGC ID: 223F.PCGS Population (all die marriages of the AMERICA, Without Periods variety): 12; 15 finer in the BN category, 11 of which are Mint State (MS-65 BN finest). PCGS has also certified a single example in MS-65 RB.From the ESM Collection. Earlier from our (American Numismatic Rarities) sale of the Southern Collection of Rarities, March 2006 New York Connoisseurs Collection sale, lot 52.
