The COL Steven Ellsworth Collection of U.S. Large Cents (1793–1796) was a highlight of Heritage Auctions’ FUN Special Sessions, which opened the broader US Coins Signature® Auction on January 13, 2026, in Orlando. Assembled over four decades and presented in partnership with Chris Victor-McCawley’s Early Cents Auctions, this 98-lot collection achieved strong results and drew enthusiastic bidding from specialists in early federal copper.
The Ellsworth Collection is notable for its extraordinary completeness: it includes every Sheldon number for the Chain, Wreath, and Liberty Cap cents from 1793 through 1796, as well as three of the extremely rare 21 Sheldon “NC” (non-collectible) varieties. This level of representation makes it one of the most comprehensive offerings of early large cents to appear at auction in recent decades.
Leading the session was one of the finest known examples of the 1795 S-79 Reeded Edge Cent (VG Details, Environmental Damage, PCGS). With only ten examples known, the S-79 is widely regarded as the undisputed key to completing a set of numbered Sheldon varieties from 1793 S-1 through 1814 S-295. This piece combines a unique 1795 obverse die with a reverse die later used to strike multiple 1796 Draped Bust varieties.
Other standout performers included:
- A 1793 S-15 Liberty Cap Cent (VG8 PCGS), described by Dr. William H. Sheldon as “The Aristocrat” of early cents, which realized $134,200 after attracting 27 bids.
- The discovery coin for the 1794 S-53 Head of 1794 Cent (AU50 PCGS), which brought $109,800. This example carries important provenance from the legendary Henry C. Miller Collection, renowned for its exceptional completeness and quality in early cents and half cents.
- A 1793 Liberty Cap Cent (VF35 PCGS) at $97,600.
- A 1794 S-38 Head of 1794 Cent (MS63 Brown PCGS) at $91,500.
- A 1794 S-32 Head of 1794 Cent (MS64+ Brown PCGS, CAC Approved) at $85,400.
- A 1793 S-4 Chain, AMERICA Cent (XF45 PCGS) at $85,400.
- A 1793 S-5 Wreath Cent (MS62 Brown PCGS) at $85,400.
COL Steven Ellsworth reflected on the offering with satisfaction: “I’ve done about 40 shows a year for 40 years, and this is the best collection I could put together. The promotion, advertising and marketing Heritage did for this was really good, the auctioneer was terrific, and the catalog will be a reference book for the next 100 years.”
The strong prices realized across the session reflect both the quality and rarity of the coins as well as the depth of demand for high-caliber early large cents among advanced collectors.
Complete results for the COL Steven Ellsworth Collection and the entire FUN Auction are available at HA.com/1389. This landmark offering will long serve as an important reference for students and collectors of America’s earliest federal coinage.