Walter Breen's Encyclopedia of Early United States Cents

Obverse 28. Lowest lock is stubby and thick-thicker than on any other 1794 die. Above the top lock, the hair is incomplete, appearing as a marked depression in the head (whence Maris's sobriquet "Trephined Head"). Opposite this point, the edge and interior of the cap are incomplete. Second and third locks are fused so that their ends suggest the head of a snake with its jaws open: hence Sheldon's term "Serpent Mouth." Fifth lock is severed, as on obverse 27. Date is spaced 1794. Serifs of 1 are shorter than usual and the crosslet of 4 is weak.

Reverse II.

Die states: I. Unbroken obverse. Previous reverse clash marks were ground off and a new set of clashed dentils appear below the ribbons, through the fraction to the final A. Rare.
II. Obverse clash marks ground off. Heavy rim break at the left border opposite and below the cap, from about 8:00 to 9:00. Approximately 80% of survivors are in this state, which suggests that the die made about 2,000 specimens after the break.

Equivalents: Maris 42, "Trephined Head." Frossard 29. Doughty 62. Hays 49. McGirk 6G. Ross 30-Z. Chapman 51. Sheldon 62. EAC 52. Encyclopedia 1668.

High Rarity 4.

Remarks: Discovered by Dr. Edward Maris, circa 1870.These planchets vary widely in weight. American Numismatic Society's state I coin weighs 194.8 grains (12.6 grams). The society's broken die coin weighs 213.7 grains (13.9 grams). Compare "Remarks" to number 53 above, and introductory text preceding number 56.

Believed among varieties delivered August 14. Condition Census:

MS-60 With a long line-like planchet lamination on the obverse. John Work Garrett • Johns Hopkins University, privately 3/1973 • John W. Adams, 11/1974 • R. E. Naftzger, Jr., 2/23/1992 • Eric Streiner, 4/4/1992 • Dr. Allen Bennett. State II. Obverse illustrated in Noyes.

EF-40 Col. E. H. R. Green,. B. G. Johnson (St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.), 3/24/1943 $42 • A. Kosoff - Oscar J. Pearl • Numismatic: Gallery FPL, 1944: 75 $25 • Edward L. Urban. Robert J. Kissner. Stack's 6/1975: 261 $1,800 • R. E. Naftzger, Jr. State 1. Obverse illustrated in Early American Cents, in Penny Whimsy, and in Morley. Obverse and reverse illustrated in Noyes.

VF-35 Ed. Frossard Collection • Ed. Frossard '37,101 1884: 899 • T. Harrison Garrett • Robert Garrett, 1919 • John Work Garrett • unknown • Charles J. Dupont • Stack's 9/1954: 86 $200 • A. Kosoff • R. E. Naftzger, Jr. • New Netherlands Coin Co. 11/1973: 383 $950 • John W. Adams • Bowers and Ruddy Galleries FPL, 1982: 61 $2,250 • Denis W. Loring, 5/7/1983 • Jack H. Robinson • Superior Galleries 1/1989: 110 $7,150 • Dr. Allen Bennett, 4/4/1992 • Eric Streiner • Superior Galleries 10/1992: 71 $4,620. State II. Obverse and reverse illustrated in Chapman.

VF-30 Virgil M. Brand • B. G. Johnson (St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co.), 4/26/1943 $30 • Oscar J. Pearl • Numismatic: Gallery FPL, 1944: 76 $50 • T. James Clarke. Dr. William H. Sheldon, 4/19/1972 • R. E. Naftzger, Jr., 11/1974. Denis W. Loring, 9/1975 • Dr. Robert A. Schuman • Dr. Edward R. Bush, 11/1977 • Myles Z. Gerson • George E. Ewing, Jr. • Early American Coppers 4/1995: 172 $5,800 • Dr. Thomas Turissini. State II. Obverse illustrated in Early American Cents and in Penny Whimsy.

VF-30 JohnK. Borcky • Thomas L. Elder 6/1935: 510 $8.50 • Henry C. Hines, 11/1940 • Judge Thomas L. Gaskill. • New Netherlands Coin Co., privately 11/1956 • Dorothy Paschal • Robinson S. Brown, Jr. • Superior Galleries 9/ 1986: 82 $2,090 • Steven K. Ellsworth. State II.

VF-25 Charles J. Dupont • Stack's 9/1954: 88 $80 • Dorothy Paschal • Dr. William H. Sheldon - C. Douglas Smith, 1965 • Alfred Bonard. State II. Obverse illustrated in Morley.

VF-25 Charles J. Dupont • Stack's 9/1954: 87 $90 • Stack's. Stack's 4/1955: 391 $130 • Willard C. Blaisdell–Gordon J. Wrubel. Dr. Robert A. Schuman • Del Bland, 5/13/1986 • Herman Halpern • Stack's 3/1988: 84 $1,760. Jeffrey Oliphant. State II. Obverse illustrated in Morley.

VF-25 A. H. Baldwin & Sons, Ltd. (London) • New Netherlands Coin Co. #50, 12/1957: 964 $72.50 • Allen E. McDowell. State I.

VF-2S C. Douglas Smith, 1965 • Alfred Bonard • 1968 ANA (A. Kosoff & Numismatic Enterprises): 1719 $280. State I.

VF-20 Sharpness of VF-30 but lightly polished. Dr. George P. French, 3/21/1929 • B. Max Mehl FPL, 1929: 76 $30 • T. James Clarke, 1944 • B. Max Mehl •Dr. William H. Sheldon • Robert L. Moore, 11/1958 • Dorothy Paschal • John W. Adams • Bowers and Ruddy Galleries FPL, 1982: 62 $1,750 • Del Bland, 5/13/1986 • Herman Halpern • Stack's 3/1988: 85 $1,760 • George E. Ewing, Jr. • Chris Victor-McCawley (CVM), 1/1995 • Walter Husak. State 1. Obverse and reverse illustrated in Chapman.

VF-20 Raymond Gallo, 10/1960 R. E.Naftzger, Jr .• A.Kosoff 10/1961: 69 $105 • George V. Nelson • Herbert A. Silberman, 11/1977 • Chuck Furjanic • Del Bland • George E. Ewing, Jr. • Del Bland, 10/1979 • G. Lee Kuntz •

Superior Galleries 10/1991: 69 $742.50 • Philip J. Moore. State II.