1793 Flowing Hair Cent. Chain Reverse. S-4, B-5. Rarity-3. AMERICA, With Periods. VF-30 (PCGS).
Light steel-brown with some brassy undertones and hints of pale blue near the centers. Sharp for the grade and showing bold definition on both sides, including full periods on the obverse. There are a few faint planchet striations in the right obverse field, the linear planchet gap along the obverse border at 9 o'clock is also as made. Some subtle horizontal slide marks at central obverse are hidden within the tresses of Liberty's hair, trace of fingerprint above date, very faint granularity on both sides, though good gloss provides an even appearance without magnification. Scattered light marks and thin scratches are noted under close scrutiny, including an old pin scratch from under Liberty's chin to the border, two very minor edge bruises left of the date, dig under the bottom of the chain motif on reverse, pit above the letter N in UNITED, straight old pin scratch right of the chain and another above the word STATES. Taken as a whole, however, the visual appeal remains good for a type that is often found heavily worn, badly corroded, or both. Breen Die State I. The Sheldon-4 die pairing likely accounts for 8,800 or more of the 13,578 cents delivered in three batches from March 8 through March 12, 1793. It is a distinct variety for the Chain design type, with periods on the obverse after both the date and the word LIBERTY. Exactly who discovered this feature and when is uncertain, with the 2000 Breen large cent Encyclopedia offering Joseph J. Mickley as a candidate, "or Cogan in 1858, or perhaps Dickeson." Regardless, this variety enjoys an added level or desirability beyond that enjoyed by the one-year status of the Chain cent type. This pleasing mid-grade survivor will perform well at auction.
PCGS# 91341. NGC ID: 223F.
From our (Stack's) Dr. Tory Prestera Collection sale, June 2007, lot 136.

Estimate: $38000