The AT crack is there but still light. GREAT DETAIL with only minor dings and edge issues. I see no trace of Environmental Damage. I'll be evacuating today, so I won't be responding until normalcy returns.
1801 S-222 Large Cent. Prime EDS (no clashing in LIBERTY and no rim cud over IB). This is the prime die state before any clashing in LIBERTY. My guess is that the dies were loosely installed, and they quickly became misaligned and clashed twice in drastically different positions. The misaligned dies caused major loss of the device details. If you look at the images provided from PCGS CoinFacts, you can see two distinct die clashes in LIBERTY, and they are dramatically shifted relative to one another, indicating a loose and misaligned die. Therefore, this coin was struck very early in the dies’ life precisely at the time when the clashing occurred. (It looks like there is a crack coming out of the upper left of R, but I promise that is just a ridge between two corrosion pits.) Has anyone ever seen another example of this variety that was clearly struck from misaligned dies? If so, how many are thought to exist?
I am happy to have found this thread as I have a few older large cents, the oldest of which I believe is 1798, but am dismayed that the subject matter expert may have been affected by Hurricane Laura. Does anyone know how close he lived to the landfall? I will dig out the examples I have and post them up a bit later. Z
@Marshall @TypeCoin971793 @Moekeever I have been reading through this thread with GREAT interest as it has helped educate me on two early copper coins that I have. If you don't mind my boldness, I would appreciate your opinions on the two below. I am like a sponge and will suck up an and all information you would be generous enough to share. Conditions, rarities, and approximate values would be eternally appreciated. These are somewhat difficult to photograph well, and I hope these are good enough for your evaluation. The first one I have had in a 2x2 flip since my childhood. The flip is marked 1798. I can just make out the last "8" in the date. 1798 Draped Bust Large Cent 1818 Coronet Liberty Head Large Cent Thank you in advance for any and all assistance.
I will give you varieties and rarities because you may not have the resources to get those yourself, but you have the resources to estimate grade and value. The 1798 appears to be S-175, which is rated at an R.4. The 1818 is an N-8, which is an R.2 or so.
The grades I figured were pretty much a no-brainer, but I am always open to others opinions. With as specialty as these are, I'm not sure I know the most accepted value guides, but I probably won't go too far astray. I really appreciate your assistance with the attribution. Now I need to educate myself on what the variety and rarity numbers represent. Thanks much for your help. Z
Forgive my slow reply, but I just had my cable restored about 4PM 9/13/20 after Laura felled a tree over the trunk, a lateral and my service drop and they had to relocate the service drop away from tree branches. I still have significant tree removal to do, but at least I'm back online.
Back from Delta now. At least the cable came back when the electricity did. If you like, try the attribution on this one. The good news is that the surfaces look a bit better than many coins I collect, but the large hole made it affordable. As a late die state, the die breaks should be helpful. Have Fun.
I know it's on the scarce side and has good surfaces. I'm just not sure how much to discount it for the hole. I'm apparently more forgiving than many since I have quite a few holed cents. I think it would straight grade AG if not for the hole. But Late die state examples often look more worn than they really are so it might grade higher by EAC in a rare departure from usual. When it comes in, I'll take edge shots. I think the edges will be good judging from the rest of the coin.
After seeing a Reverse of 97 called a Reverse of 96 for the umpteenth time, I decided to make a composite showing the difference. Reverses of 94 and 95 use Loop Punch I. The difference is that 95 has a single leaf at the top right of the wreath. Other subtle differences are due to the wear of the die and enhancements by the engravers rounding and thickening the ribbon loops as they add details after the punch is used like when stems and ribbon ends are added. All these were used before the use of HUBS. The reverse of 97 (and 99) uses a rounder Loop Punch I call Loop Punch II. It is taller and incomplete at the bottom left where it attaches to the knot. ALL reverse of 97s have a double leaf at the top right of the wreath just like the Rev of 94s. But the emphasis in Red Book for YEARS of the leaf distinctions between Rev of 94 and Rev of 95 continue to confuse non-specialists to this day.
There are a couple of interesting coins this morning that intrigue me. I believe this is an S-18, but with no edge shot, I can't tell a or b, though likely b. It intrigues me because the Die State progression indicates a gradual bulge on the left of the reverse indicating die sinking. This appears to be the opposite with the area being protected indicating the rest of the die sinking further than the initial area of sinking. The appearance is that of a massive break, but it could also be a planchet flaw or PMD. I just don't know if a die can break down to cause this reversal effect from a bulge to a protected area. The second I purchased because I needed it. It was called dateless, but I immediately recognized the head of 94. What I didn't expect was the variety. But no bargain this time. Just a fair price instead of overpriced.