1C 1793 CHAIN AMERICA S-2 PCGS MS65BN EX CARDINAL CAC

Legend Numismatics is proud to have acquired the marvelous Cardinal Collection 1793 Chain Cent, AMERICA, PCGS MS65 BN CAC! One of the absolute finest graded examples of the first federally issued cent, displaying outstanding quality throughout. The quality of the currently offered gem is virtually unheard of in this state of preservation.  

This gem has an exceptional strike for the type and variety, showing bold definition of the hair strands and the chain. For an early large cent, the planchet was of high quality to begin with (not often the case), and it was carefully preserved since the moment it fell from the dies. Both sides are an even original mellow brown with highlights of gold. Miss Liberty and the details are beyond amazing in strike. You do not need a glass to see all the fine points. The surfaces display a satiny sheen that when caught at the right angles in the light possess a subtle cartwheel effect, which is surprising for this type. There is no question this coin has NEVER been messed with in any way.

This is the Sheldon-2 variety, which is listed as an R-4+, the scarcest of the “collectible” varieties. In Gem as here, every Chain Cent is extremely rare, and is a true historic treasure that transcends numismatics. This impressive coin has a provenance that is equally impressive, that includes such large cent luminaries as Henry Beckwith, Dr. George Frech, Dr. Henry Sternberg, B. Max Mehl (personal collection), T. James Clarke, Dr. William Sheldon, R.E. “Ted” Naftzger, Herman Halpern, Gilbert Steinberg, Walter Husak, and finally the Cardinal Foundation Collection. In between, some of the most noted professional numismatists acted as intermediaries.

PCGS 1, NGC 2, CAC 1. PCGS has graded NONE higher. This coin last sold at the Cardinal Sale for $998,500.00 (January 2013). The only other GEM MS65 Chain (with Periods) sold for $1,350,000.00 in January 2012;  while the PCGS MS66BN sold for $2,350,000.00 in January 2015. This coin has been with a Legend customer  ever since the Cardinal Sale. The customer has actually upgraded to something else recently (yeah, wow). This coin is now only available again because it is a duplicate!

Legend Numismatics is proud and honored to present this once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire one of the most famous and historic rarities in all of numismatics-a GEM MS65BN Chain Cent.