1794 Liberty Cap! (No question about this one!)

[brianc053]

Hi everyone! This morning I returned again to the field that produced that handful of great buttons and a coin that appears to be a Liberty Cap. (4 Dandies and a Liberty Cap! ).

Well, there's no question about the coin I found today: a 1794 Liberty Cap, and this one is in pretty good condition! Both sides have distinctive images, and even the lettered edge is clearly visible.
I knew it was a good signal at the time, so I was careful digging the hole and when the coin started to emerge from the sandy soil I stopped to take a few pictures "in situ"; I've included them after all of the pictures of the coin itself.

The rest of the finds were good too: more buttons, a piece of "fancy" (probably from a saddle or other horse tack?), and maybe a musket ball.

I can't wait to go back to this site!

- Brian

 

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[jewelerguy]

that's pretty sweet!

 

[pepperj]

Love the copper.
The sandy soil certainly helped it survive.
Liking the other recoveries as well.
Now a early silver would be an early Xmas present.

 

[lenmac65]

That is a beauty. What a great coin. Congrats!

 

[ironhorse]

The edge lettering is still nice, I like that ! Neat variety and great patina!

 

[The Rebel]

That's an awesome copper, lots of meat still on it!

 

[E-Trac-Ohio]

Outstanding Brian !

 

[mjb Mike]

very nice shape for the age congrats

 

[Hunk-a-lead]

Hi everyone! This morning I returned again to the field that produced that handful of great buttons and a coin that appears to be a Liberty Cap. (4 Dandies and a Liberty Cap! ).

Well, there's no question about the coin I found today: a 1794 Liberty Cap, and this one is in pretty good condition! Both sides have distinctive images, and even the lettered edge is clearly visible.
I knew it was a good signal at the time, so I was careful digging the hole and when the coin started to emerge from the sandy soil I stopped to take a few pictures "in situ"; I've included them after all of the pictures of the coin itself.

The rest of the finds were good too: more buttons, a piece of "fancy" (probably from a saddle or other horse tack?), and maybe a musket ball.

I can't wait to go back to this site!

- Brian

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great collection of saves, well played

 

[grasshopper]

Beautiful - Congrats!!

 

[ToddsPoint]

I really thought the first one you found was a stretch calling it what you did. I’m a believer now. In 1794 the mint had just started the yr before. They probably didn’t even have a sign up yet!🤣

 

[brianc053]

I really thought the first one you found was a stretch calling it what you did. I’m a believer now. In 1794 the mint had just started the yr before. They probably didn’t even have a sign up yet!🤣

I'd welcome your input on what you think the first one was. On the Facebook group ID.me the first few people were confident it was a Liberty Cap (which is why I said what I said here), but later there were folks who said it could be a Draped. One of the guys I trust - Steve Evans - was confident it was a Liberty Cap, so I went with that.
Given the visible bow on the reverse and the right-facing bust I'm highly certain it's either a LC or Draped, but if you have a different opinion - I'm happy to listen.
As I said on ID.me, "we'll never know for sure and it doesn't really matter, since it's just going in a book on my shelf and I'll probably be the only person who ever sees it again."
- Brian

 

[AU Seeker]

Hi everyone! This morning I returned again to the field that produced that handful of great buttons and a coin that appears to be a Liberty Cap. (4 Dandies and a Liberty Cap! ).

Well, there's no question about the coin I found today: a 1794 Liberty Cap, and this one is in pretty good condition! Both sides have distinctive images, and even the lettered edge is clearly visible.
I knew it was a good signal at the time, so I was careful digging the hole and when the coin started to emerge from the sandy soil I stopped to take a few pictures "in situ"; I've included them after all of the pictures of the coin itself.

The rest of the finds were good too: more buttons, a piece of "fancy" (probably from a saddle or other horse tack?), and maybe a musket ball.

I can't wait to go back to this site!

- Brian

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From just looking at the photos of this 1794, it looks to me to be a 1794 with a "Head of" a 1793, if this is correct it's a rare coin and worth WAY more than any of the other 1794s, at least as much as 6 to 7 times more, even in poor shape they are worth at least $2000 and yours looks to be in better condition than one worth $2000, could double or triple that!

My guess is from looking at the bottom curl in her hair and around the lips and nose area, could be more that can confirm if looking at the coin in person, see what you think, it may be worth having it looked by a professional.

Here's a photo of the difference in 3 different types.

 

[Tesorodeoro]

From just looking at the photos of this 1794, it looks to me to be a 1794 with a "Head of" a 1793, if this is correct it's a rare coin and worth WAY more than any of the other 1794s, at least as much as 6 to 7 times more, even in poor shape they are worth at least $2000 and yours looks to be in better condition than one worth $2000, could double or triple that!

My guess is from looking at the bottom curl in her hair and around the lips and nose area, could more that can confirm if looking at the coin in person, see what you think, it may be worth having it looked by a professional.

Here's a photo of the difference in 3 different types.

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I would agree. If you look at the profile of the bridge of the nose on the 1793, there is a small bump at the brow line that’s not present on the 1794. At least that’s what I see

 

[brianc053]

From just looking at the photos of this 1794, it looks to me to be a 1794 with a "Head of" a 1793, if this is correct it's a rare coin and worth WAY more than any of the other 1794s, at least as much as 6 to 7 times more, even in poor shape they are worth at least $2000 and yours looks to be in better condition than one worth $2000, could double or triple that!

My guess is from looking at the bottom curl in her hair and around the lips and nose area, could more that can confirm if looking at the coin in person, see what you think, it may be worth having it looked by a professional.

Here's a photo of the difference in 3 different types.

View attachment 2181612

I would agree. If you look at the profile of the bridge of the nose on the 1793, there is a small bump at the brow line that’s not present on the 1794. At least that’s what I see

Holy cow.... Now you folks have me even MORE excited! (Not for the value - I'm someone who holds on to what I find - but for the historical variety aspect. I love learning about varieties of old coins; I even bought Michael Demling's book on Jersey Coppers!).

I'm putting a photo of my coin and the 3 photos shared by AU Seeker into Photoshop now so that I can overlay the photos and play with transparency via layers. That can help us see where things line up. I'll post an update in a bit.
- Brian

 

[brianc053]

Ok I did some quick research. First, thank you to @AU Seeker and @Tesorodeoro for raising my interest in investigating varieties!
On this website (describing the collection of "Tom") https://largecents.net/collection/1794cap.html I quickly learned that there are SO MANY varieties of this coin!
Looking at all of the varieties the feature I focused in on was primarily where the "R" in LIBERTY lined up with the forehead; this seemed to vary greatly between varieties and helped me narrow down my search. (The "R" is only close to the forehead, with the bottom leg of the R ending past the forehead, in a few varieties.)

I also learned about the "Sheldon Varieties" of this coin, which you can read about here: https://coinweek.com/1794-liberty-cap-cent-a-collectors-guide/

Using Tom's pictures and the Coinweek article as guides, I think that my coin seems to look a lot like the S-61 variety, the one collector Tom calls the "Thick Hair/Close Date" 1794 variety. This coin has a Rarity of 4 (very scarce). I've included Tom's picture of his S-61 for reference below an annotated picture of mine. (Red is very distinctive features, yellow are supporting features.)

From here I'm going to email an expert or too (Tom included) and see if they can confirm the variety.

Thanks again for prompting me to research further and learn more!
- Brian

PS - and shameless promotion: if you think this is deserving, I'd love a Banner nomination. I feel like it's my best shot in almost 10 years as a Forum member.

 

[brianc053]

One more update for those interested: I emailed Tom (the person with the largecents.net website) and he already responded! Here's what he said when I told him I suspected it was an S-61 and sent him pictures:

"Hi Brian,

I believe you nailed the attribution.

The reverse had several more attribution points, and all seem to match.

Great sleuthing, and even a greater find - congrats!!

Best wishes,
Tom"

Wow!

 

[AU Seeker]

Ok I did some quick research. First, thank you to @AU Seeker and @Tesorodeoro for raising my interest in investigating varieties!
On this website (describing the collection of "Tom") https://largecents.net/collection/1794cap.html I quickly learned that there are SO MANY varieties of this coin!
Looking at all of the varieties the feature I focused in on was primarily where the "R" in LIBERTY lined up with the forehead; this seemed to vary greatly between varieties and helped me narrow down my search. (The "R" is only close to the forehead, with the bottom leg of the R ending past the forehead, in a few varieties.)

I also learned about the "Sheldon Varieties" of this coin, which you can read about here: https://coinweek.com/1794-liberty-cap-cent-a-collectors-guide/

Using Tom's pictures and the Coinweek article as guides, I think that my coin seems to look a lot like the S-61 variety, the one collector Tom calls the "Thick Hair/Close Date" 1794 variety. This coin has a Rarity of 4 (very scarce). I've included Tom's picture of his S-61 for reference below an annotated picture of mine. (Red is very distinctive features, yellow are supporting features.)

From here I'm going to email an expert or too (Tom included) and see if they can confirm the variety.

Thanks again for prompting me to research further and learn more!
- Brian

PS - and shameless promotion: if you think this is deserving, I'd love a Banner nomination. I feel like it's my best shot in almost 10 years as a Forum member.

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One more update for those interested: I emailed Tom (the person with the largecents.net website) and he already responded! Here's what he said when I told him I suspected it was an S-61 and sent him pictures:

"Hi Brian,

I believe you nailed the attribution.

The reverse had several more attribution points, and all seem to match.

Great sleuthing, and even a greater find - congrats!!

Best wishes,
Tom"

Wow!

That's great, glad I could bring it to your attention.

Other than what is called "environmental damage" from being in the ground I think your coin is in better condition than Tom's coin.

I'm just an amateur coin collector, but anytime someone post an old coin I always look up what the coin maybe worth in case such as this time they may have a rare coin that's has value is some fashion, when it turns out to be a winner like your coin, I sorta feel like I found it also!!

 

[brianc053]

That's great, glad I could bring it to your attention.

Other than what is called "environmental damage" from being in the ground I think your coin is in better condition than Tom's coin.

I'm just an amateur coin collector, but anytime someone post an old coin I always look up what the coin maybe worth in case such as this time they may have a rare coin that's has value is some fashion, when it turns out to be a winner like your coin, I sorta feel like I found it also!!

I'm happy to have you share in the adventure, @AU Seeker ! This is why I love Treasurenet - and why I was so sad that I couldn't detect for a year (and thus couldn't share any finds). I think a lot of us on here like to live vicariously through the adventures and finds of the others on here.
- Brian

 

[Silvermonkey]

Holy Crap! That coin is in fantastic shape. So, so lovely. I love how you can clearly see the edge markings. Congratulations!!!