Variety Equivalents: Breen 6b, Gilbert 4

Notes:
This sub-variety has "small" edge letters.  By way of comparison, the D and the O of DOLLAR are the same size on the "Small Edge Letters" sub-variety and there is a larger-than-expected gap between the R and the E of HUNDRED.  On the "Large Edge Letters" sub-variety, the O of DOLLAR is larger than the D, and HUNDRED is evenly spaced.

Images courtesy of Gene Braig

Significant examples:
(illustrated above).  Ex - Auctions by Bowers & Merena, Inc.'s "ANA" sale, August 1991, Lot 4201 - Gene Braig

Recent appearances:
PCGS AU-50.  Ex - Jim McGuigan, January 1986 - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.'s "The Benson Collection - Part I", February 16, 18-20, 2001, Lot 163, illustrated, sold for $4,140.00 where it was described (in part) as follows: "1794. Cohen-4, Breen-6b, Rarity-3. PCGS graded AU-50 and Del Bland graded Very Fine-25. Smooth medium chocolate brown surfaces with a couple of very light obverse edge dents. Late die state and a delightful example of the variety...Splendid surfaces and quality for the issue..."

EF-45.  Bowers & Merena Galleries' "The Rarities Sale", January 3, 2001, Lot 4, "B-6b, Small Edge Letter", illustrated, sold for $2,990.00

"VF-30+".  Ex - Superior Galleries "Pre-Long Beach" Elite Coin Auction, May 25-27, 2003, Lot 80, sold for $5,462.50 Ex Ron Guth-Tom Rowe-Jerry Harp-Dr. Wallace Lee. 

PCGS VF-25.  Ex - Bowers & Merena Galleries' "The Cabinet of Lucien M. LaRiviere, Part III", May 21, 2001, Lot 1324, "B-6b, C-4a", illustrated, sold for $2,070.00

Del Bland graded VF-20.  Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.'s "The Benson Collection - Part I", February 16, 18-20, 2001, Lot 164, illustrated, sold for $2,185.00  Ex Emory Collection; Spink Auctions (London) #94 10/92,  Lot 762

Fine-12.  Ex - Bowers & Merena Galleries' "The Cabinet of Lucien M. LaRiviere, Part II", March 15-17, 2001, Lot 2338, "B-6b, small edge letters" sold for $632.50

Very Good-8.  Ex - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "Santa Clara Signature Sale", November 16-17, 2000, Lot 5018, "B-6b, C-4, R-3", not illustrated, sold for $207.00  Ex: Mail Bid Sale (Coin Galleries, 8/1983), lot 1344.

Sources and/or recommended reading:
"American Half Cents - The 'Little Half Sisters' (Second Edition)" by Roger S. Cohen, Jr.

"Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia Of U.S. And Colonial Coins" by Walter Breen

"The Half Cent Die State Book, 1793-1857" by Ronald P. Manley

Relevant collector organizations:
Early American Coppers Club