Let me first say I do not have a copy of Penny Whimsy, although it is on my Christmas list for this year...so I will avoid buying it until after Christmas if it does not make an appearance under the tree. That being said, I used the pictures of the Husak collection on Largecents.net to identify this coin down to either the S-36,37, or 38. I don't think it is the 38 because I don't see any damage in the field. I am leaning towards the 36, but am not positive. The reverse is rotated 15 degrees clockwise, and I've kept that aspect there in the pictures. I've included closeups of the single berry and the last lock of hair over the date for comparison.
Thanks, did the reading. I think the pickup points on the obverse are just too far gone...either way S-36 is an R5 S-37 is an R6 so I call it a win either way and really it will help hone my investigatory skills.
First, I think the identification of Sheldon's Rev M is correct. I must disagree with your initial exclusion of S-38. While the die chip is obvious on the later die states, it is almost nonexistent on Die State I. Step back and look at the date and tell me if you see a narrow date or wide date? My impression is of a narrow date, particularly the spacing of what I perceive as the 1 and 7. While well worn, I believe it to be the S-38 Die State I. ps If I'm right, it's still a R5+ and a win. pss This is a sight I use for online assistance. http://www.icollector.com/The-Pre-Long-Beach-Sale_as14916 psss The die state actually talks about the outer die chip, so damage or tooling may have occurred if it's the S-38. pssss (getting ridiculous ?) The gap between the hair and shoulder which appears to exist on Obv.s 15 and 16 also appear to be missing, so I'm still thinking Obv. 17, even with the missing chip.
Rev is definitely that of S-36, 37,or 38. The spacing I can see of the date seems to be a better match for S-38 than 36 or 37. I'd say it is 38.
