Values up to $250,000 – One of the Most Coveted Early U.S. Coppers
📜 Historical Significance
Mint Context:
- Final year of the Liberty Cap design (1793–1795)
- Transitional reeded edge experiment (most had plain edges)
- Extremely low survival — only 100–150 specimens believed to exist
- Approximate mintage: 37,000 large cents (reeded edge portion unknown)
Production Challenges:
- Hand-engraved dies with noticeable design variations
- Crude, porous planchets from inconsistent copper supplies
- Experimental edge treatments — some coins show partial edge lettering remnants
🔍 Key Identification Features
Authentic Specimens Show:
- Weight: 13.48g (208 grains) ± 0.5g
- Diameter: 27–29mm (irregular from hand striking)
- Edge: Reeded (15–18 reeds, uneven spacing)
- Obverse: Flowing Hair Liberty with cap on pole
- Reverse: Wreath with ONE CENT inside
Major Varieties:
- Sheldon-79: Lettered edge (extremely rare)
- Sheldon-80: Reeded edge (this variety)
- Sheldon-81: Plain edge (most common)
📏 Condition Census & Value Guide
| Grade | Description | Value Range |
|---|---|---|
| MS-65BN | Full red-brown luster | $150,000 – $250,000 |
| AU-55BN | Light wear on cap | $50,000 – $80,000 |
| EF-40BN | Moderate even wear | $25,000 – $40,000 |
| VF-20BN | Worn but details still clear | $15,000 – $22,000 |
Record Auction Price: $258,500 — PCGS MS-64BN (Heritage, 2013)
🛡 Authentication Essentials
Genuine Characteristics:
- Porous early copper surface texture
- Slightly irregular shape and alignment from hand striking
- Edge reeding shows shallow, hand-applied marks
Counterfeit Red Flags:
- Perfectly round planchet
- Sharp, “modern” looking design relief
- Incorrect weight outside ±0.5g range
Verification Methods:
- PCGS/NGC certification strongly advised
- Specific gravity: ~8.92 g/cm³
- Microscopic examination for die state markers
📈 Market Insights
Recent Sales:
- 2022 — VF-30: $18,800 (Heritage)
- 2021 — EF-45: $32,400 (Stack’s Bowers)
- 2019 — AU-55: $57,600 (Legend Rare Coin Auctions)
Investment Outlook:
- 10-year growth: 9–15% annually for certified examples
- Strong demand from early copper specialists and colonial-era collectors
🏛 Where to Buy & Sell
Best Venues:
- Heritage Auctions (top choice for graded coins)
- Early American Coppers (EAC) conventions
- PCGS CoinFacts Forum (private treaty deals)
Collector Tips:
- Prioritize problem-free surfaces (many early coppers have corrosion)
- Original color is more desirable than cleaned examples
- Provenance can significantly boost market value
🔎 Discovery Potential
Possible sources for unreported specimens:
- New England estate holdings (1790s circulation areas)
- European collections (exported as trade copper)
- Old mislabeled coin albums in family archives
📧 Free Professional Evaluation
Think you’ve found a 1795 Reeded Edge Large Cent?
Send clear, high-resolution photos to:
copper@pennyverse.info
Subject: 1795 REEDED CENT
We’ll provide:
✔ Preliminary authentication
✔ Market valuation
✔ Next-step selling guidance
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