1793 Liberty Cap Cent. S-13. Rarity-4-. VF-25 (PCGS). An exciting and attractive specimen of a type that inhabits more want lists than any other early American copper issue. Pleasing medium olive-brown surfaces allow the finely engraved detail of Joseph Wrights designs to rise majestically from the fields in pleasing, rounded relief. At this grade the eye of Liberty is still present and the profiles elegance remains easy to enjoy. The coin is ideally centered on both sides with each individual bead at the border complete and well struck. Slightly granular on both sides, but inoffensively so, not enough to bother us, PCGS, or any collector who has actually gone searching for one of these in a grade better than Good in the last five years. A subtle area of ruddy toning is seen above the digits 79 in the date, overlapping the truncation of the bust. A single horizontal hairline crosses Libertys hair above the ear, two individual and harmless nicks noted in the right obverse field for identification purposes, delicate striation parallels right ribbon end on the reverse.<p>Among 1793 Liberty Cap cents, though this is not a Condition Census candidate, the present coin stands tall. The famous Sturgeon hoard of over 50 1793 Liberty Cap cents did not contain a single specimen this nice. For a coin famous for its artistry, accomplished by yellow fever casualty Joseph Wright just months before his death, it is a pity that the vast majority of survivors are so worn that the fine engraving work is lost. This piece is sharp enough that its aesthetics may be appreciated fully. A distinctive type, a scarce variety, a beautiful and nearly medallic production from the first year of full scale coinage - the 1793 Liberty Cap cent is desirable on so many levels that we expect feverish bidding for this very pleasing specimen. PCGS# 1359. NGC ID: 223L. From the Abernathy Collection. Earlier from our (Stacks) Amherst Waccabuc Collections sale, November 2007, lot 236.
