Walter Breen's Encyclopedia of Early United States Cents
Walter Breen
Understandably, earlier students of this date-Doughty, Gilbert, McGirk, Clapp, Newcomb, and Sheldon-Were unable to arrive at a correct emission sequence this has become possible only in recent years, with examination of hundreds of unattributed specimens. The sequence submitted below takes into account both die breaks and planchet stock. Minor revisions may become necessary as better preserved examples are discovered.
Clapp maintained that there were two device punches for the 1796 Draped Busts, differing in the forelock; the first of these supposedly appeared on the obverses of varieties 14, 26, 27, 36, and 46, the other on all subsequent dies. Sheldon ignored this claim. (Editor's note: prior to his death, Breen had not had a chance to further study this claim to form his own opinion.) This may simply have been a final touchup with the graver.
Wreath punches were used for the Type of 1797 dies. These contained leaves, wreath stems, and ribbons. Berries and their stems, stem ends, lettering, fraction, and dentilated border all had to be added by hand.
Some varieties instantly recognizable by non-specialists, here as in the cents of 1794, have long commanded premiums above rarer ones not so dramatically marked. Classic examples include the two "LIBERTY" varieties and several with bizarre die breaks.
