1796 Draped Bust Cent. S-118. Rarity-5+. Reverse of 1797. Extremely Fine, Environmental Damage. A remarkably sharp example of this key variety, one of the rarest Sheldon numbered 1796 Draped Busts. Dark olive and steel surfaces show light to moderate pitting across much of the obverse and reverse, yet are nicely free of contact marks. If the surfaces were smoother, the level of detail would qualify this coin as one of the very finest extant. Even still, after netting for roughness, this is a commendable S-118 and has been appreciated by numerous large cent luminaries over the years. Ex Walter Breen; Dorothy Paschal; Ray Chatham; Fred Borcherdt; Walter Reed; Col. Steve Ellsworth.
