1814 Classic Head Cent. S-294. Rarity-1. Crosslet 4. AU-58 (PCGS). CAC.Exceptional quality for this conditionally challenged type. Both sides are frosty chocolate-brown with hints of lighter steel-brown in the protected areas. Ample luster remains, the coin Mint State in preservation apart from the barest trace of rub to the high points. Well centered in strike with bold to sharp detail throughout, a pleasingly smooth appearance in hand rounds out a truly impressive list of physical attributes. John Reichs Classic Head cent series passed into coinage history in 1814 with a reported mintage of 357,830 pieces for the year. The United States was in the throes of the War of 1812 at the time. Although the Treaty of Ghent signed on December 24, 1814, ended the conflict with Great Britain, future president Andrew Jackson would lead U.S. forces to victory in the Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815, unaware of the treatys signing. The United States government did not officially ratify the treaty until February 18, 1815.<p>Among the many adverse effects of the war was the interruption of deliveries of copper planchets to the United States Mint. The Mints principal supplier of this coinage metal at the time was Matthew Boulton, located in Birmingham, England. Indeed, his last shipment to the United States before the war (which officially commenced on June 18, 1812), was made in January 1811, the copper arriving sometime before May 9, 1812. No more shipments were made until after the cessation of hostilities, and the Mints existing supply was exhausted by the end of 1814, explaining the lack of 1815 cents. When coinage of this denomination resumed in 1816, Reichs Classic Head motif had been replaced by the Matron Head design of Engraver Robert Scot.<p>This type has long been respected among advanced numismatists for its overall scarcity and rarity in the finest circulated and all Mint State grades. The two die pairings of the final year 1814 issue are among the most frequently encountered with superior quality and eye appeal, although we caution bidders that a coin such as offered here represents a fleeting bidding opportunity in todays highly competitive market.PCGS# 36520. NGC ID: 224Y.CAC Population: 20 in all AU grades.From the BASH Collection. Earlier ex Tom Reynolds, May 2001; Ira & Larry Goldbergs sale of the Paul Gerrie Collection, February 2013 Pre-Long Bach Auction, lot 83; Ira & Larry Goldbergs sale of the Gene Heard Collection, June 2017 Pre-Long Beach Auction, lot 294.
