OK Guys. This one is a little different. I went through three phases on this one. First phase. Bleh! Second phase. Really excited and unbelievable! Third phase. Oh! Should have known. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1796-Draped...95?pt=Coins_US_Individual&hash=item416dad1b47 Rather than get right into the reasons, I thought I'd see if anyone wanted to guess the reasons for each phase. I'll check back in a few days to see if there are any responses.
I'll bite! Okay... after checking quickly... trying to make an easy match, my first guess is an S-114.... This is based on the apparent cud found on the obverse at 11:00. This gives it a rarity of 5 which puts it in the RARE category of 31-75 known. Not bad. Now.. if that "CUD" i see is actually just wear or damage... then my second guess would be a S-97. My diagnostics on this one is the termination of the leaves on the reverse (both in shape and proximaty), as well as the 6 gently rubbing on the bust on the obverse. Of course.. if it's a 97, then we get a rarity of only 3...Not as sexy.... Am I close? Am I close??
Good process, but wrong conclusions. I believe the CUD you are seeing is damage, but it's hard to tell on worn damaged copper. Look at the leaves (which you did) under M and the stem. On the obverse, you're limited to the position of 6 and the right side of the adjoining number. You can sort of make out position of hair waves below worn letters. Good luck.
Hmm... okay... well, based on the berry between the A and M on the vine, this elminates quite a few varieties. One that appears to be close, is the S-104.... The berry seems close to the right location... the 6 appears to have the right position too... That gives an R-3 to it. Hmm... then the NC2 (G35) appears to be close too... the berry seems close.. the six is good.. but I can't see the end of the vine to see if they touch or not... That would be a rarity of 8... No doubt... this is what you thought it was for a second..... where that means there is only 1, 2 or even 3 of these in existance... Based on what my untrained eyes can make out.. i'm going to say it's the S-104... the more common variety. Oh wise one... am I getting closer? (By the way.. I can't thank you enough for the lessons on this.. seriously.... only way to learn!)
Look at the position of the tips of leaves under M and also the distance of the berry from the wreath. Also the gap between the right stem and the leaves above it. Also the space between the inner leaf and the wreath at (N)T. Don't forget to look at leaf stems and berry stems for both length and angle. With experience, you tend to look at the points where variation occurs most frequently.
