There is another face of coins which are seldom considered. The Edge. What do you think of the edges in this picture? Are they the same or different?
I find it quite fascinating that early coinage with edge lettering is far Superior to what is being produced today.......
wow that cent is great! so much history i wish i had one myself! They are the same you can't expect to be the same when it is 2 century/s old! great coin again!
They are different - the spread is off on the letters. Look at the LL in the word DOLLAR on both the spacing is spread farther on the more worn coin.That is the easiest to see it on. Nice coins-
In a 1986 Letter in Penny-Wise, Walter Breen indicated that there was an Edge change in the 'later' varieties of 1794. He credited Dr Ruby with noticing this on the S-70, S-71 and S-72. His list of associated Edges and Varieties follows: Edge of 1793 S-11c S-12 through S-16 S-17a S-18a S-19a S-20a (NC-7) Edge of 1794 S-17b (NC-4) S-18b S-19b S-20b S-21 through S-56 S-57 S-59a (Van Cleave) S-60 S-61 S-63 through S-65 S-66a (Van Cleave) S-67a (ANS) S-69a S-70a S-71a NC-3a (ANS) S-72a (ANS) Edge of 1795 S-58b S-59b S-62b S-66b (3 in ANS) S-67b (ANS) S-68b S-70b S-71b S-72b S-73 through S-76a He speculated that these would be found after a thorough search of edges: S-57b S-58a S-60b S-61b S-68a He indicated a rumor of a S-65b was reported, but he hadn't seen one. In January of 2006, Dan Trollan picked up the mantle of edge research.
Let's start a contest entitled "Best Thread Name". I nominate this one ! Yes, it's so true. Lesson #1 for a young Jedi Knight desiring to master Early American Copper - Don't Forget The Third Side.
Good post marshall - keep it up. I learn a little something each time. Going back down to the local shop to see if they still have that 1794. If so I will post it tomorrow night.
This is the Edge Descriptions given by Breen. Edge of 1794 Large Broad A's in A DOLLAR Edge of 1795 Smaller A's, the first squat, the second narrow; all letters in FO(R) A DOLLAR are smaller, and the leaf is longer. Dan Trollan noted the O's and A's were smaller on the Edge of 1795. and noted them from the S57 through S-72 and all 1795s he had looked at.
This S-23 SHOULD be the Edge of 1794. Is this different? Now this one? Remember, ther had been NO edge of 1794s found on 1795 coins. What do you guys think?
Don't have anything to add regarding 1794 cents, but I always thought the 1992 "Nolan Ryan" Olympic baseball commemorative was pretty cool since it has both reeding and edge lettering: The coin: And the edge: The coin sort of looks like this doesn't it
The study of edge dies is rather complicated. First you have to consider that more than likely multiple sets of edge dies had to be used. Second that apparent differences in size of letters, if slight, could result from how deeply the letters were impressed into the edge. Differences in spacing could be from different dies, or it could result from slippage of the coin between the edge dies, or if small could be the result of die wear to the edge die. And finally you have the problem with the large cents that large numbers of high grade coins are not available for examination and edge die identification. The researchers who studied and identified the edge dies used on the Capped bust halves didn't have that problem, better grade coins are readily available. If there are distinct differences in lettering font used on the edges that would probably be identifiable. But on the heavily worn and often "damaged" edges seen on the early large cents it would be very difficult. And if I was trying to compare edges I would stack the coins so the words were lined up and shoot the photo. Having them in different images and with different rotations so you see a word straight on on one coin but obliquely on another makes comparison even more difficult.
Great thread, another of many reasons to hate slabs. Too few collectors pay attention to this side, and neither do forgers, which is why edging usually the easiest way to spot forgeries as well. Not just the simple signs of casting, but even struck copies of coins like the 1914d and 1877 cents. I was shown some good struck forgeries recently and the simplest sign was comparing the edge. The forgeries wern't in the same type of collar, so the edge was different. Reed counting is also a very well known method of catching forgeries on silver coins. Cool photos, thanks a lot. I need to learn how to photograph my coins someday.
