Early American Copper Coins Lead Heritage’s July Showcase Auction to More Than $436,000

Heritage Auctions realized $436,092 in its July 13 Early Copper & Colonial U.S. Coins Showcase Auction, as collectors pursued some of the most desirable issues from the earliest years of American coinage. The event featured an appealing selection of rare U.S. large cents, half cents and Colonial coins.

Among the auction’s standout lots, a 1795 Half Cent Plain Edge, No Pole, Thin Planchet, Cohen-5a, graded XF40 PCGS and approved by CAC, realized $5,856. Its attractive Extremely Fine preservation and CAC approval made it an especially appealing example for specialists pursuing premium-quality early copper.

The auction’s top lots, each realizing $6,100, featured a 1799/8 Large Cent, Sheldon-188, Breen-2, R.4, graded Poor 1 by PCGS. The celebrated overdate remains one of the most sought-after varieties in the Draped Bust cent series. This low-ball example represents Breen Die State IV, distinguished by a prominent die break through “RTY” in “LIBERTY.” Matching that result at $6,100 was a 1793 Chain Cent, AMERICA, Sheldon-2, certified PCGS Genuine, Good Details. The Chain cent occupies a singular place in American numismatic history as part of the first cents issued by the United States Mint in 1793. The distinctive reverse design featuring an interconnected chain makes the type one of the most recognizable and historically important issues in all of U.S. coinage, ensuring strong collector demand regardless of condition.

Collectors also competed for a handsome 1786 Vermont Copper, VERMONTENSIUM, RR-6, certified XF40 Brown by NGC, which realized $4,392. Produced during the Confederation era before Vermont joined the Union, these Colonial copper issues remain essential components of advanced early American collections. The well-preserved example offered in this auction demonstrated the enduring popularity of Colonial coinage alongside early federal issues.

Rounding out the auction’s leading selections was a 1794 Half Cent Normal Head, Small Edge Letters, Cohen-2a, graded VF35 PCGS, which brought $3,904. Also realizing $3,904 was a 1794 Large Cent, Head of 1795, Sheldon-69, certified PCGS Genuine, AU Details. Together, these two early federal issues highlighted continued collector demand for the diverse die varieties and transitional designs that define the first decade of United States coinage.

Complete results can be found at HA.com/60552.