1798 S-158 R4 Small 8 with Style I Hair AG3. A couple points sharper but covered with fine porosity. No verdigris or notable signs of contact. Slightly glossy steel brown with darker chocolate toning in protected areas. The date is complete but not strong, and the legends are readable except for D-STA, which are worn smooth due to the die failure in that area. E-MDS, Breen state II, with a diagonal die crack from the rim through T in UNITED to AT in STATES. (This low grade example of a relatively common die variety completed the Dan Holmes set of numbered Sheldon varieties. For that reason, an otherwise unremarkable cent enjoys its status as the "keystone" coin in a truly remarkable collection, the most complete collection of Sheldon die varieties ever formed.).
Estimated Value $80-UP.
Ex Chris McCawley 3/20/1997-Dan Holmes, McCawley & Grellman Auctions/Goldbergs 9/6/2009:288-Kevin Space (comes with the Holmes collection envelope inscribed by Dan "This coin completes my Sheldon set".
Large Cents
