I just purchased this coin and would like your opinion on whether this coin is an o-107 or the rarer o-107a? It appears to have a die chip at the bridge of the nose but it is larger than the die chip usually seen on o-107a. If it were a o-107a it would be o-107.6 as described below by a member of another forum. So, what do you think? O.107 prime die state- no clash marks, cracks, no chip in N (rev) O.107.1- chip in N O.107.2- die crack forms between 8 and 1 from rim to bust O.107.3- crack is lapped off, 1st clash marks appear O.107.4- multiple clash marks appear, very light crack forms at bridge of nose (most common die state, covers a considerable period of time in the life of the dies) O.107.5- platinum strikes O.107.6- die chip forms on bridge of nose O.107.7- chip forms in serif of 1
Your coin is the O.107.6, which is considered an "a" die state. The O.107.7, with the additional die break at the flag of the first 1 (which I often call "O.107b" as I have heard others call it), is typically the more desirable of the two, although I do not feel it is the rarer of the two. In my experience, I encounter more examples of the O.107b than I do the O.107a.
The BNHC considers the 1814 o107a an R5 it is also listed as an R5 in Hermans AMBPR. Don't quote me on it but I believe it was corrected in the 4th edition, I'll check when I get home.
Nope - 4th edition still says R-2. Yes - I see it listed as R-5 other places so I would go with BHNC.
My personal opinion is that the late die-states of this variety are not R5, and judging by auction records, so do other collectors of this material. The only die-state that deserves an R5 rating is the "prime" die state, which I have only ever seen one example of. I have a feeling the rarity # of this variety will be adjusted in future guides.
