1798 Draped Bust Cent. S-156. Rarity-5. Reverse of 1795. AG-3 (PCGS).A highly desirable offering for the advanced large cent variety collector, this is a wholesome, if well circulated example of the scarce Sheldon-156 pairing. The obverse retains a sharp date and LIBERTY, the portrait boldly outlined, and some sharper definition noted for Libertys eye, mouth and several of the hair strands and drapery lines. The impression on that side is trivially off center to 8:30, the denticulation appreciably wider along the right border. The reverse show no border denticulation and has some weakness in the peripheral legend, but most elements of the wreath are clear, and both expressions of the denomination are legible. Intermingled deep golden-brown and olive patina with a blush of rose at the letter F in OF. The surfaces are suitably tight for the assigned grade with scattered marks, an ancient scratch at the right obverse border the most useful for identification purposes. Given the an EAC grade of VG is sufficient to rank an example within the top 10 for the 1798 S-156 attribution, this straight-graded PCGS AG is also among the finer survivors obtainable in todays market. Breen Die State II, late.PCGS# 36005. NGC ID: 2244.
