DALLAS, TX.- The Denis W. Loring Collection of 1793 Large Cents, 12 in all, will be offered as part of Heritage Auctions' Thursday, Jan. 5 2012 Platinum Night auction, part of the company's Jan. 3-8 U.S. Coins & Platinum Night FUN Signature(r) Auction. The events are all taking place at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.

"Each of these 12 coins is among the very finest of its kind," said Greg Rohan, President of Heritage. "Denis put years of work and research into assembling this collection and it's an honor and a privilege to handle it for him. We expect collectors will feel the same way and bid accordingly when these treasures come under the gavel."

Denis W. Loring is a charter member of Early American Coppers from its formation in 1967. He has held various national offices for the organization, including president. He completed a Sheldon numbered collection of large cents while still in his 20s, the youngest collector ever to do so. His interest in the history of early copper coinage continued with his formation of an exceptional collection of 1793 varieties.

"This auctions presents 12 of the 15 varieties in his collection," said Mark Borckardt, Heritage senior cataloger who described the coins, "with the other three being retained as a type set of the 1793 cents. Denis's collecting goal was a set of attractive, problem-free AU coins and those are the pieces being offered. Early copper aficionados have the opportunity to bid on a dozen different 1793 large cents, each certified between AU50 and AU58."

The coins are as follows:

The Sheldon-2 Chain cent is AU53 PCGS and tied for the eighth finest of the variety. It has glossy olive and golden surfaces with considerable frosty brown luster remaining on each side.

The Sheldon-3 Chain cent is AU53 PCGS and has provenance to the famous Herman Halpern collection. A lovely tan and chocolate example, this cent has excellent cartwheel luster.

The Sheldon-4 With Periods Chain cent is AU53 PCGS, with intermingled olive and chocolate surfaces that are nearly flawless.

The Sheldon-5 Large Letters Wreath cent is AU55 NGC, with reflective surfaces that exhibit pale olive, rose, and light blue color.

The Sheldon-6 Sprung Die Wreath cent is AU50 PCGS, offering olive, steel, and mahogany surfaces.

The Sheldon-8 Vine and Bars Wreath cent is AU55+ PCGS, a remarkable specimen that is tied for 10th finest of the variety. Featuring light brown and chocolate surfaces, this piece is a visual treat.

The Sheldon-9 Horizontal Stem Wreath cent is AU58 PCGS, the finest certified example in the Loring collection. It is a spectacular early cent with smooth, flawless surfaces that show chestnut and steel color.

The Sheldon-10 Wreath cent is AU50 PCGS, a near condition census specimen that has glossy tan and olive surfaces.

The Sheldon-11a Vine and Bars Wreath cent is AU50 PCGS and ranks in the top ten of its variety. This piece is well-centered with lovely light brown surfaces.

The Sheldon-11b Lettered Edge Wreath cent is AU55+ PCGS and is the third finest known. This coin carries a provenance from the famous Garrett Collection, formed by the Baltimore railroad family. The Garrett specimen has splendid olive and mahogany surfaces, and it is a late die state with heavy clash marks that add to its intrigue.

The Sheldon-11c Lettered Edge Wreath cent is AU53 PCGS and is tied for the sixth finest of the variety. The glossy surfaces show chestnut and steel-brown colors.

The Sheldon-14 Bisecting Crack Liberty Cap cent is AU50+ PCGS. Not only is it tied for the second finest S-14 cent, but it is also one of the seven or eight finest Liberty Cap cents of any variety. This piece is the highlight of the Loring collection, and will garner considerable interest. We receive more requests for high grade 1793 Liberty Cap cents than for any other issue in the early copper series.