In
1793 the fledgling United States Mint produced its first coins for circulation.
For cents, there would be three design types. The
first was the Flowing Hair obverse with Chain style reverse. Newspapers and the
public criticized the Chain design, and stated that “Liberty was in
chains.” Mint Director David Rittenhouse ordered new designs for the cent
and the Wreath reverse was born, though the actual designer remains lost to
history. The new Wreath cents were substantially more attractive, with Liberty more
defined, with more voluminous hair and a steady gaze upward. The reverse wreath
leaves include a trefoil style which may be a cotton leaf, while the berries
are arranged on long strands, some of which fork into branches with attached
berries. The longer leaves depicted are almost certainly laurel leaves, the
same species of laurel (laurus nobilis) native to ancient Greece that
was used to crown the victors of local sporting events. Just a few months after this design was introduced,
the Wreath style was abandoned when talented engraver Joseph Wright was secured
by the Mint in the summer of 1793. Wright completed a third new design for the
1793 cents known as the Liberty Cap style and cents with this motif were struck
late in the year. Tragically, Wright died in the yellow fever epidemic a few
months after he was hired. The total mintage of the Flowing Hair, Wreath cents
is thought to be 63,353 pieces based on analysis of deliveries and dates.
Perhaps somewhat more than 2,000 exist today in all grades, a minuscule number to
meet the demand for them.
Offered as lot 90018 in our
2016 December Collectors Choice auction is a 1793 Wreath cent graded VF-25 by
PCGS. It is boldly defined overall with weakness mostly confined to the
peripheries where dentilation is missing, most prevalent on the reverse. The
balance of the devices, however are fully appreciable. The impression is
well-centered and the surfaces are smooth overall with pleasing warm, cappuccino
tones. This is a true opportunity for the connoisseur, a coin that any
specialist would be proud to own for its quality and eye appeal, and a prime
candidate for a type set. All three types of 1793 cents are avidly collected
today in all grades from barely identifiable through Mint State. The attractive
mid-grade example offered in our December Collectors Choice auction offers nice
value for the price paid.
We invite you to take a look at our monthly Collector’s
Choice Auctions, as they offer a great opportunity to acquire fantastic
collector coins, all auctioned by a live auctioneer over the Internet. This
month, we are offering 679 lots, ranging in value from a few hundred dollars to
tens of thousands. There is truly something for everyone! To see what is
available and place your bids, visit this month’s auction here. If you
are interested in selling your duplicates or have changed your collecting
interests, talk to us today about consigning your coins to the next monthly
sale and let our success be your success! Call us at (949) 253-0916 or email us
at Consign@stacksbowers.com for
more information.
