1799 1C, S-189, PCGS AG03 CAC.  Only TWO coins make this grade and are approved at CAC and this is one of them! Population 2 at CAC as of 1-9-2-14. A very rare coin and key date in the series. Very original and wonderful. 1799 Large Cent - 1799 1C, S-189, PCGS AG03 CAC. 1799 Large Cent, Regular Date, S-189, R2+. This obviously identifiable but worn 1799 Large Cent has devices that are chocolate brown with darker brown fields. These colors show the coins originality. For the grade, the surfaces are clean and hard. On the obverse, the date is readable. The rims are worn down into the lettering on the reverse, in keeping with the grade. The CAC sticker indicates that this piece is a premium quality coin that fully merits the grade assigned.

The S-189 is a Regular Date variety. LIBERTY is evenly and closely spaced in its usual position. The second 9 is a little higher and heavier than the first. On the reverse, the E in UNITED and the F in OF are heavily recut at the crossbars. There is also a die chip between the E in ONE and the T in CENT.

The coin designed by Robert Scot, shows Liberty in profile facing right. Her hair is tied with a ribbon in the back but most of it falls to her shoulder with a curl below the truncation. Each strand of hair ends in a curl. LIBERTY is above and the date is below. The design was based on a drawing by Gilbert Stuart that was first used on some silver dollars of 1795 and later used on half-cents of 1800 to 1808. The reverse shows an open wreath of laurel tied with a bow. Within the wreath, on two lines, is the denomination, ONE CENT. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds the wreath at the periphery. At the bottom, between the ribbon ends is the fraction 1/100.    

Scot was born in 1744. It is uncertain if he was born in Edinburgh, Scotland or in England. He was trained as a watchmaker in England and learned engraving afterwards. He moved to the United States in 1777, where he worked as an engraver of plates, bills of exchange, and office scales. During the Revolution, he was an engraver of paper money. In 1781 he moved to Philadelphia. He was appointed Chief Engraver of the United States Mint on November 23, 1793 by David Rittenhouse, Mint Director. His salary in 1795 was $1,200 per year. The Mint Director received only $800 dollars per year more. Scots ability to make dies was limited, and in his advanced years he had failing eyesight. His work was somewhat less than that done in Europe at the time, and Scot was criticized for its poor quality. Despite these limitations, he was responsible for designs of most of Americas first coins. These include the Flowing Hair and the Draped Bust motifs used on early silver coins and the Capped Bust gold coins. Scot also designed the 1794-1797 half-cent, the 1800-1808 draped bust half-cent, and the Thomas Jefferson Indian Peace Medal.

In its population report, as of June 2013, CAC has confirmed 2 1799 Regular Date Large Cents at the AG03 grade level.