Attribute This

Well, I’ve already sold it as an S-179, so RIP me

 

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Not a chance. I've got too many coins that don't leave me satisfied with a perfect attribution, but the search is a joy.

Anyway, I wouldn't have this without your help:

 

I purchased this 1798 and received it today. S-172 with large E in liberty and reverse with die clash denticles over the lower half just under letters and numerator.

 

I'm not sure these are better, but these are my photos:

 

I'm getting difficult to satisfy these days. The obverse R(T) appears too far left and is right of most on the S-172. Also, this coin has a weak, but definite stem on the outer berry under E(R) on the reverse.

But once again I'm having trouble identifying an alternative which seems to fit. I was looking really hard at S-175, but the upper inside berry on the left has a stem too closely parallel to the leaf. It has a thick, but short C(E). I checked S-179 but that doesn't work either.

The thing most interesting is what appears to be a high T(Y) relative to the bottom of R and where the bottom of Y should be. I don't see another type 2 with this positioning, so I'm trying to allow for PMD, wear or strike related issues.

It might be the BB (reverse for S-179), but I can't Identify a 1798 Type 2 obverse that looks right at RTY or is close with a shorter shoulder loop (left to left center of 8.

 

What I'm seeing. But I don't always see what others see,

 

I see what you saying about the obverse but I’m positive this is reverse V. My photos are not the best but the die clash and the top crossbar of E in States connects to the top. The large E in liberty keeps me with S-172

 

If so, it would be a very early die State and showing a stem on the berry under E(S) that others do not show. I can't see enough detail above E or at M to confirm:



This is a very interesting 98 Type 2.

 

Here is a couple more photos.

 

These are much clearer.

I think this shows the double leaf under IR overlaps the wreath and is not just copper movement. I'm still at S-179 with a couple of stem length concerns on the reverse and no match on the obverse.

The inner stem under E also appears to get closer to the outer stem under E than most comps other than S-179. But a couple of the stem length seem a bit shorter on the subject than the comps, but would be expected because the subject is more worn than the comps.

The better photos seem to show less indication of PMD at the bottom of T.

 

The 8 in the date is too close to the bust On S-179. I’m still at S-172.

 

I'm with you on it not being the S-179 obverse, I can't find any of the 14 type 2 98 obverses that look right. But the reverse looks possible. There are multiple issues with every obverse starting with the high T.

But that leaves either a genuine new die or a counterfeit die. I'm afraid that's a little past my pay grade. It's also possible I'm eliminating dies with issues that can be explained by strike or PMD.

It's crazy that now I've seen 2 98s that just don't fit neatly into known dies in the last week. On top of that, I've seen what looks like two different dies called S-214. I guess it's possible I'm going senile.

 

This shows the stem better and the lower intersection of the inner and outer stems that along with the overlapping leaf under IR seem to exclude all but Reverse BB. However; it is possible that if this is a VERY early Reverse V, then there might have been a stem which was damaged to invisibility very early on in the die's life making it appear that there was never a stem on the die.

I'm grasping at straws to explain what I think I see.

 

Posted before adding this photo marked up.

Looking closely a this, it appears to eliminate Reverse BB as well with the stem angled at the top portion of the berry rather than more centered as on BB. I'm going backward.

 

I will take a look later

 

I see S-179 as well. The high 9, upright of E slightly left of hair wave, short fraction bar, numerator centered over fraction bar, and long berry stems seal it for me. I think wear has “shortened” the stems by spreading the berries out a little

 

Cherried this unattributed S-19 This morning

 

That's GREAT. Even though it looks porous, it has the detail to make the attribution solid as a rock. But I bet a good photo will make it look even better. Now you have to let us know if it's edge of 93 or edge of 94 when you get it.

 

Absolutely. That is the first thing I am gonna check