EAC2025

EARLY CENTS AUCTIONS

LOT 141 1794 S-47 R4 VG10 . Several points sharper but covered with fine granularity under glossy chocolate and lighter brown toning. The contrast between the lighter brown on the highpoints and darker chocolate elsewhere accents the devices and adds to the eye appeal. No verdigris and the only marks are a light, very old diagonal scratch in the field before the neck and another slanting through the O in ONE. Neither mark breaks the toning. EDS, Breen state I, with an uncracked reverse.

LOT 140 1794 S-45 R5+ G6 . Sharpness F12 but covered with fine to moderate roughness, strongest on the reverse. No verdigris, and the only notable marks are a pair of fine, old scratches at RI in AMERICA. Slightly glossy chocolate brown and steel with slightly lighter brown on the highpoints. The date and legends are complete and easily readable. EDS, Breen state I, with an uncracked reverse. Graded net G4 by Noyes and net G5 by Denman, but we think it is a bit better. Comes with a nice provenance.

Ex Alfred Bonard-Del N. Bland-Jack H. Robinson, Superior 1/29/1989:82-Dr. Ralph W. Rucker-Rucker Estate, Early Cents Auctions Fixed Price List May 2022:55-Erik Schneckloth (includes the Rucker collection envelope and lot ticket)

Ex Darwin B. Palmer, Jr.-John D. Wright 1/2005-Chris McCawley 7/2005-Terry Denman-Chris McCawley-Erik Schneckloth Collection (includes the Denman collection envelope)

 THE DOWNING-RUBY STARRED REVERSE

yes LOT 142 1794 S-48 R5 Starred Reverse, PCGS graded VG8 . Sharpness VG8 on the obverse, weaker on the reverse as always on this variety. Fine to moderate roughness covers the fields and protected areas while the highpoints are smooth. No verdigris and the only notable marks are a tiny pit in the center of the cheek and a stronger diagonal nick in the leaves over the E in ONE. At least half of the 94 tiny stars are still visible, clearest from the second A in AMERICA clockwise to the D in UNITED. Later die state with buckling on the reverse from the O in ONE to RI in AMERICA. The date and LIBERTY are complete and clear but ONE CENT and most of AMERICA are worn smooth (in part thanks to the buckling). The H & D in HUNDRED are filled with yellow ink indicating ownership by Homer Downing (according to the Ruby catalog), but you can not see that in the holder. Graded VG7 net G4 by Noyes, his photo #29371. Pete Smith, in his 1986 reference The Story of the Starred Reverse Cent, grades this piece net G5 (his example 5D). The reverse is plated to illustrate the Good grade in the 1979 Tom Morley grading guide for the cents of 1794 (see page 40). Our grade is net G5. The Starred Reverse feature is noted on the older green PCGS label. (The holder is scuffed on both sides.) 1374.08/32277293 Ex Henry C. Hines, Barney Bluestone 2/28/1948:421-Homer K. Downing, New Netherlands Coin Co., 1952 ANA Sale 8/16/1952:1644-Dr. Charles L. Ruby-Superior Galleries (Ruby III) 2/10/1975:45 (plated)-Dr. C. R. Chambers-Dr. Robert J. Shalowitz-Douglas F. Bird-Heritage Auctions #1329:4975 Erik Schneckloth Collection (includes the Heritage lot ticket)

40 Saturday, May 17 th , 2025 5PM EST • PITTSBURGH, PA